Members of England and Afghanistan groups gesture throughout a T20I match. — Reuters
A bunch of British lawmakers urged England to boycott their Champions Trophy match in opposition to Afghanistan subsequent month, saying the nation’s cricket board (ECB) wanted to take a stand in opposition to the Taliban’s “crackdown” on ladies.
For the reason that Taliban returned to energy in 2021 it has restricted ladies and women’ entry to training and work, curbing their freedom of motion, and forcing them to cowl their faces and our bodies.
England are scheduled to face Afghanistan in a group-stage match on February 26 in Lahore.
A letter signed by greater than 160 politicians on Monday referred to as for England’s gamers and officers to talk out in opposition to the therapy of ladies and women in Afghanistan.
“We also urge the ECB to consider a boycott of the upcoming match against Afghanistan in the ICC Champions Trophy Group stage on February 26th to send a clear signal that such grotesque abuses will not be tolerated,” the letter added.
ECB chief government Richard Gould responded by calling for a uniform strategy from all member nations in direction of Afghanistan’s participation in worldwide cricket.
“The ECB strongly condemns the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime,” Gould mentioned.
“The ICC Constitution mandates that all member nations are committed to the growth and development of women’s cricket. In line with this commitment, the ECB has maintained its position of not scheduling any bilateral cricket matches against Afghanistan.
“Whereas there has not been a consensus on additional worldwide motion throughout the ICC, the ECB will proceed to actively advocate for such measures. A coordinated, ICC-wide strategy could be considerably extra impactful than unilateral actions by particular person members.”
England beforehand confronted Afghanistan on the 50-overs Cricket World Cup in 2023, in addition to on the Twenty20 World Cup in 2022.
Final 12 months, Australia referred to as off a T20 collection in opposition to Afghanistan citing the deteriorating human rights state of affairs for ladies.
