NEWS
Follow UsEngland have declined calls to boycott Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy 2025, according to a report on Independent. The two teams are due to meet in Lahore on February 26.
According to the report, the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has condemned the treatment of women and girls in the country but believes there needs to be a united global response, but not at the cost of denying playing against them as cricket is a “source of hope and positivity for many Afghans."
“The ECB strongly condemns the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. The ICC Constitution mandates that all member nations are committed to the growth and development of women’s cricket,” Richard Gould, chief executive of the ECB, told the Independent.
“In line with this commitment, the ECB has maintained its position of not scheduling any bilateral cricket matches against Afghanistan.
“We acknowledge and respect the diverse perspectives on this global issue. We understand the concerns raised by those who believe that a boycott of men’s cricket could inadvertently support the Taliban’s efforts to suppress freedoms and isolate Afghan society.
"It’s crucial to recognise the importance of cricket as a source of hope and positivity for many Afghans, including those displaced from the country."
England have not entertained Afghanistan in bilateral contests, but have faced them at ICC events. The most recent was was the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, where Afghanistan beat England in Delhi.
"A coordinated, ICC-wide approach would be significantly more impactful than unilateral actions by individual members,” Gould added.
The Champions Trophy kicks off on February 19. England's first match will be against arch-rivals Australia in Lahore on February 22. Afghanistan, on the other hand, are in action a day earlier against South Africa in Karachi.
