England confirms match against Afghanistan in Champions Trophy despite calls for boycott

England has confirmed they will go ahead with their scheduled match against Afghanistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy.

This decision comes despite growing calls from several quarters for the match to be boycotted due to the ongoing situation in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) made the official announcement after a board meeting, with chairman Richard Thompson making the statement.

The pressure to skip the match started when the Taliban‍‍`s actions, particularly their restriction on women‍‍`s rights, drew international condemnation.

The Champions Trophy will kick off on February 19, and England is set to play against Afghanistan on February 26 in Lahore at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium. The game will be part of the tournament‍‍`s Group B.

Earlier, 160 British parliament members had written a letter to the ECB urging them to reconsider playing Afghanistan in light of the Taliban’s policies, especially its crackdown on women’s rights.

However, after the board‍‍`s meeting yesterday, Thompson confirmed that the match would take place as planned.

He also called for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take action in response to the situation in Afghanistan.

Thompson expressed concern about the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, stating,

“What is happening in Afghanistan is nothing but gender inequality. It is heartbreaking that girls and women in Afghanistan are being denied the opportunity to play cricket, while the sport is growing worldwide.”

The ECB chairman went on to say,

“We believe that a coordinated approach by the international cricket community is the right path, which will be more effective than a unilateral boycott by the ECB. We have also heard that cricket is one of the few sources of joy left in the lives of many ordinary Afghans, and we are sure that we will play this match in the Champions Trophy.”

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the regime has placed severe restrictions on women’s participation in sports, education, and even access to healthcare.

Afghanistan is a full member of the ICC, and one of the conditions for this membership is the existence of a women’s cricket team.

Although Afghanistan has suspended its women’s cricket program, recent diplomatic talks between the Taliban and India have indicated that Afghanistan might avoid facing sanctions from the ICC.

The ECB has also urged the ICC to provide financial assistance to Afghan women cricketers who have fled the country.

Many of these players are now in Australia, and the ECB has called for their official recognition as a refugee national team.

Just last week, the MCC Foundation set up a fund to support these players, with the ECB contributing a generous £100,000 to help them.

While the match against Afghanistan has generated controversy, the decision to move forward with it shows England’s commitment to playing, but also highlights the complex political and social issues surrounding international sports in the current global climate.

The cricket world will be closely watching the Champions Trophy, not just for the games on the field, but also for the ongoing conversations surrounding ethics and global responsibility in sports.