Politicians in UK have requested ECB to boycott their group stage match of Champions Trophy with Afghanistan. It has been scheduled on 26th February in Lahore and would be the second match of England in the group stage of Champions Trophy.
ECB is under immense pressure to Boycott the match against Afghanistan’s team because of the suppression of women’s cricket team and women in Afghanistan under Taliban Rule.
Since Taliban came in power in 2021, the regime suppressed women, one step was dissolving women’s cricket team, most of the players left the country as an outcome. This suppression resulted in call for boycott of Afghanistan’s team from the tournament.
Afghanistan Team has earned its way in the cricketing world by beating some of the giants in Past. Afghanistan defeated Australia in T20 worldcup Super Eight leading to their qualification in Semi-Final replacing Australia.
They also defeated England in ODI world cup match. They have evolved over the years into a force to be reckon with and so, they are in top 8 teams of ODI.
In Past Australia has refused to play bilateral series against Afghanistan three times due to the same reason. Rashid Khan and Muhammad Nabi also made comments such as, ‘women should be allowed to work in medical, education and training only’.
The Regime in Afghanistan has banned women from participating in sports and in other fields and they have also urged their women to cover their faces and body.
The England Govt and ECB might be looking for a rule from ICC instead of individual boards boycotting.
Some critics have criticized this by saying that teams are not playing bilateral series with Afghanistan but are playing in group stages, and this selective boycott isn’t going to change anything.
This is a complex issue and banning man’s cricket team because of this would isolate Afghanistan Society more. However, freedom for women is also a necessity.
In this ongoing situation, the world is looking towards ICC to come forward with a solution that can help in improving women freedom without banning Afghanistan Cricket.
