Wed Jan 08 17:30:00 UTC 2025: ## England Cricket Board Calls for Unified ICC Action Against Afghanistan Over Women’s Rights

**London/Dubai –** Following a letter signed by over 160 British MPs urging a boycott of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is calling for a coordinated international response to the Taliban’s suppression of women’s rights.

The MPs’ letter, spearheaded by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi and signed by a cross-party group including prominent figures like Nigel Farage and Jeremy Corbyn, condemned the “insidious dystopia” in Afghanistan and urged the ECB to boycott the February 26th match. The letter highlighted the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s education, work, and movement, including the complete ban on women’s participation in sports.

ECB chief executive Richard Gould acknowledged the concerns, stating the ECB “strongly condemns the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan.” While the ECB has already refused to schedule bilateral matches against Afghanistan, Gould advocated for a more impactful, unified approach from all International Cricket Council (ICC) member nations. He pointed to the ICC’s mandate for the growth of women’s cricket as being directly contradicted by Afghanistan’s policies.

Australia has already taken a similar stance, refusing to play bilateral series with Afghanistan on three separate occasions due to human rights concerns. Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird stressed their commitment to this position.

Even some of Afghanistan’s top cricketers, Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, have publicly urged the Taliban to reconsider its policies, highlighting the detrimental impact on the country’s future.

Afghanistan’s strong performance in recent international tournaments, including a victory over England at the 50-over World Cup in 2023 and a semi-final appearance at the T20 World Cup 2024, adds further complexity to the situation. The upcoming Champions Trophy, where Afghanistan is grouped with England, Australia, and South Africa, will be the next test of the ICC’s response to this pressing issue. The ECB’s call for a unified ICC response will put pressure on the governing body to address the growing concerns regarding Afghanistan’s participation in international cricket.

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