England’s Cricket Team Holds the Power to Boycott Afghanistan

England’s men’s cricket team according to Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, has the “power” to decide whether to play Afghanistan in the upcoming Champions Trophy, urging players to stand against the Taliban regime’s assault on women’s rights. This follows a cross-party letter that nearly 200 UK politicians signed, urging the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to boycott the match scheduled for February 26 in Lahore.

Since the Taliban regained power in 2021, Afghanistan has effectively banned women’s cricket, forcing many female players to flee the country for safety. In a meeting with the ECB, Antoniazzi emphasized that the players hold the power to make the decision as their influence in the sport is significant. She called on the team to use that power to create positive change. The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) condemned the Taliban’s treatment of women but refrained from commenting on potential player boycotts, acknowledging the complexity of the issue.

The ECB has not committed to a boycott but stated that it would collaborate with the UK government, other cricket boards and the International Cricket Council (ICC) to address the situation. Although ICC rules require both men’s and women’s cricket teams for full membership, Afghanistan’s men’s team has continued to participate in ICC events without sanctions.

ECB CEO Richard Gould acknowledged the diverse perspectives on the issue and highlighted cricket’s importance to many Afghans including displaced people. However, Antoniazzi criticized the ECB’s response as lacking conviction, stressing the need to focus on the plight of Afghan women, who the Taliban denies the right to play sports, attend school and work. The ICC’s stance on enforcing its own regulations regarding women’s teams remains a crucial point of contention.