England cricket chiefs reject call for solo boycott of Afghanistan Champions Trophy game over Taliban assault on women’s rights

England’s cricket bosses have rejected calls for the team to boycott an upcoming match against Afghanistan over the ruling Taliban regime’s assault on women’s rights.

Urged to pull out of next month’s Champions Trophy match in Lahore by more than 160 politicians, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Monday it would prefer to take unified rather than unilateral action.

MPs and peers from across parliament, including Nigel Farage, Jeremy Corbyn, and Lord Kinnock, have signed a strongly-worded letter written by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi that condemns the “insidious dystopia” unfolding in Afghanistan.

Women have been effectively prevented from taking part in organised sport since the Islamic extremist group returned to power in 2021, leaving the Afghanistan Cricket Board out of step with International Cricket Council rules.

The ECB should refuse the 50-over group game on 26 February, the letter said, “to send a clear signal that such grotesque abuses will not be tolerated.

“We must stand against sex apartheid and we implore the ECB to deliver a firm message of solidarity and hope to Afghan women and girls that their suffering has not been overlooked.”

But the ECB’s chief executive, Richard Gould, said that the body favoured a uniform approach from all member nations rather than acting alone.

Mr Gould said the ECB “strongly condemns” the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls and has not arranged any matches against Afghanistan.

It promised to “actively advocate” for further international action by the International Cricket Council (ICC), as a “coordinated, ICC-wide approach would be significantly more impactful” than acting alone.

Mr Gould said the ECB “understand the concerns raised by those who believe that a boycott of men’s cricket could inadvertently support the Taliban’s efforts to suppress freedoms and isolate Afghan society”.

“It’s crucial to recognise the importance of cricket as a source of hope and positivity for many Afghans, including those displaced from the country.

“The ECB is committed to finding a solution that upholds the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan while also considering the broader impact on 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,” he said.

A Department for Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson said: “We are deeply concerned by the appalling erosion of women and girls rights in Afghanistan.

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“While participation in the ICC Champions Trophy is a matter for the International Cricket Council and England and Wales Cricket Board, 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 are making representations to the ICC on this wider issue and what support can be given.”

In 2003, Nasser Hussain’s England side forfeited a World Cup game against Zimbabwe in protest at Robert Mugabe’s regime, with politicians advocating for the move without stepping in to make the decision on the squad’s behalf.