England will play Afghanistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 despite boycott calls over the Taliban’s stance on women’s rights, the ECB confirmed.
Last month, British lawmakers and South Africa’s Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, urged England to boycott the February 26 match in Lahore.
Afghanistan had 25 contracted women cricketers in 2020, but most have since gone into exile in Australia following the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021.
ECB Chair Richard Thompson stated that after discussions with the government, ICC, and national players, they decided to play the match.
He emphasized that the cricketing community alone could not resolve such issues, advocating for a coordinated international response rather than unilateral action by the ECB.
Thompson acknowledged that cricket remains one of the few sources of joy for many Afghans and confirmed England’s participation in the fixture.
He also suggested that the ICC recognize an Afghanistan women’s refugee team and provide opportunities for displaced Afghan women in coaching.
Thompson described the situation in Afghanistan as “gender apartheid,” lamenting that Afghan girls are denied opportunities in cricket.