The England and Wales Cricket Board has heard from a group of more than 160 politicians, including Nigel Farage, Jeremy Corbyn, Lord Kinnock and others, that it will play Afghanistan next month. called for a boycott of the Champions Trophy match.
The England men’s ODI team is scheduled to face Afghanistan in Lahore on February 26, but Westminster is demanding the ECB boycott the match over the Taliban regime’s attacks on women’s rights.
Women’s participation in sport has been effectively outlawed since the return to power in 2021, a move by the Afghanistan Cricket Board that directly violates the rules of the International Cricket Council.
A strongly worded letter has emerged from parliament pleading with the ECB to raise its moral objections when Afghan soldiers can still be contested by the ICC.
The report, written by Labor MP Tonia Antoniazzi and signed by a broad cross-party group in the House of Commons and the House of Lords, lays out an “insidious dystopia” unfolding in Afghanistan.
ECB statement
A statement to ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould concluded: “We strongly urge England men’s players and officials to speak out about the appalling treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban.
“We also urge the ECB to consider a boycott of the upcoming match against Afghanistan… to send a clear signal that such grotesque abuses will not be tolerated.
“We must speak out against gender discrimination and we implore the ECB to send a firm message of solidarity and hope to Afghan women and girls that their suffering has not gone unnoticed.”
ECB CEO Richard Gould said the quick response reaffirmed the ECB’s principles while also suggesting he preferred a unified approach from all member states rather than acting in isolation.
“The ECB strongly condemns the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime,” he said.
commitment to growth
“The ICC Constitution requires all member countries to be committed to the growth and development of women’s cricket. In line with these commitments, the ECB maintained its stance that it is not planning any bilateral cricket matches with Afghanistan.
“While there is no agreement within the ICC on further international action, the ECB will continue to actively advocate for such action.
“A coordinated approach across the ICC is far more impactful than unilateral actions by individual members.
“We recognize and respect diverse perspectives on this global issue. We understand the concerns raised by those who believe that a boycott of men’s cricket could unintentionally support the Taliban’s efforts to suppress freedoms and isolate Afghan society.
“It is important to recognize the importance of cricket as a source of hope and positivity for many Afghans, including those who have migrated from this country.
“The ECB is committed to finding solutions that uphold the rights of Afghan women and girls while taking into account the wider implications for the Afghan people.
“We will continue to engage in constructive dialogue with the UK Government, other stakeholders, the ICC and other international cricket boards to explore all possible avenues for meaningful change.”
DCMS Statement
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Culture, Media and Sport said: “We are deeply concerned by the appalling violations of the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.”
“Participation in the ICC Champions Trophy is a matter for the International Cricket Council and the England and Wales Cricket Board, but we are in contact with the ECB on the wider issue of the Afghanistan women’s cricket team.
“We welcome the fact that the ECB is providing input to the ICC on this wider issue and what support it can provide.”
The situation brings back memories of the 2003 World Cup when Nasser Hussein’s England team lost a match against Zimbabwe in protest against Robert Mugabe’s regime, with politicians defending the transfer rather than stepping in to make decisions on the squad’s behalf. .
