England to "not" boycott Afghanistan match in Champions Trophy

The ECB Board has addressed calls for England to boycott the men’s Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan due to the Taliban's severe restrictions on women's rights, labeling these actions as gender apartheid. While cricket, particularly women's cricket, is flourishing globally, Afghan girls are denied this opportunity. The ECB has engaged with various stakeholders, including the UK Government and the ICC, to deliberate on the boycott.

Image Credits: Sky Sports

Despite recognizing diverse opinions, the ECB decided against a unilateral boycott, emphasizing the importance of a coordinated international response which could be more effective. The decision was also influenced by the fact that watching cricket is one of the few joys left for many in Afghanistan. 

Instead, the ECB has intensified efforts to support exiled Afghan women cricketers, donating £100,000 to the Global Refugee Cricket Fund. The ECB is also advocating for the ICC to allocate funds specifically for supporting female Afghan players in exile, possibly recognizing an Afghanistan Women’s Refugee Team, and promoting opportunities for these women in coaching and administration roles.

The ECB acknowledges cricket's limitations in solving Afghanistan's broader issues but commits to using the sport to advocate for and support Afghan women and girls.

"The Board recognises there are different views and opinions on the issue of boycotting the match and has listened carefully. We have been in close contact with the Government, the International Cricket Council (ICC), our England Men’s players and other stakeholders to discuss this matter, as well as considering how best the ECB can support those women cricketers who have fled Afghanistan," stated ECB in a media release.

"Following this, we remain of the view that a coordinated international response by the cricketing community is the appropriate way forward, and will achieve more than any unilateral action by the ECB in boycotting this match, while we have also heard that for many ordinary Afghans, watching their cricket team is one of the few remaining sources of enjoyment. As such, we can confirm that we will play this fixture," added the release.