The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has thrown out calls for a boycott of Afghanistan at the Champions Trophy 2025 despite mounting pressure of over 160 British politicians concerning the Taliban’s oppressive treatment of women. England are set to meet Afghanistan in Lahore on February 26, a move that has really sparked debate.
This year, a cross-party letter lead by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi included Jeremy Corbyn’s and Lord Kinnock, urging the ECB to boycott the Champions Trophy on behalf of Afghanistan which has “sex apartheid,” referring to the point that women’s sport has been deemed outlawed with women’s sport considered outlawed with the return to power of Taliban in 2021.
The signatories demanded that the ECB adopt a strong stand against human rights abuses, asking it to issue a strong message of solidarity with Afghan women. “We must stand against sex apartheid,” the letter said. “By boycotting the upcoming match, England can show Afghan women and girls that their suffering is not ignored.“
The push is reminiscent of a similar dilemma that England faced in 2003 when the team was called upon to boycott a World Cup match against Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe’s regime. That decision ultimately led to forfeiture and hindered England’s qualification.
ECB’s Stand on Boycott Afghanistan at Champions Trophy
ECB chief executive Richard Gould stated that boycotting Afghanistan at the Champions Trophy would not solve the systemic issues in the country. Instead, he called for a coordinated response from the International Cricket Council.
“The ECB strongly condemns the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls,” Gould wrote. He reiterated that England will not play a bilateral series against Afghanistan until this regime is toppled. At the same time, he felt that Afghanistan could not be barred from playing ICC events; the governing body should collectively consider that.
“A united, ICC-led approach would carry more weight than isolated actions from individual nations,” Gould added. The ECB believes cricket remains a rare source of hope for Afghan citizens, including those displaced. A boycott, Gould warned, could risk alienating the very people England seeks to support.
He conceded that the situation was complicated when he said, “While some see a boycott as a moral stand, others worry it might inadvertently strengthen the Taliban’s isolationist policies.”
The ECB agreed to continued dialogue with the UK government, international cricket boards, and the ICC to urge meaningful change. Gould reiterated that the ECB remains resolute in advancing women’s rights in Afghanistan and globally.
Despite calls to boycott Afghanistan at the Champions Trophy, the ECB insists on taking a more global stance to address Taliban human rights abuse. As such, the February 26 clash between the two nations in Lahore remains under scrutiny; it symbolized a larger battle for justice and equality.