ECB Boycott Request For Champions Trophy 2025 Against Afghanistan

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) denied demands to withdraw from England's upcoming match against Afghanistan in the ICC Champions Trophy, which is scheduled for February 26, 2025, at Lahore, Pakistan. The choice was made in the face of issues about the way the Taliban treats women in Afghanistan, including their ban on women playing sports.

Why England Boycott Afghanistan:

Since the Taliban acquired control of Afghanistan in 2021, women's rights have been severely restricted, including the restriction on women participating in sports. The International Cricket Council's (ICC) rules, which demand that full member countries promote and advance women's cricket, are broken by this. Afghanistan's women's cricket team has been split as a result, and many of its former players are outside the country.

ECB Respond:

In response, the CEO of the England and Wales Cricket Board(ECB), Richard Gould, denounced the Taliban's treatment of women and girls. The ICC constitution requires all member countries to make a commitment to the development of women's cricket, he said. In keeping with this, the ECB has decided not to schedule bilateral games with Afghanistan. But according to Gould, a focused strategy involving the entire ICC would be more successful than individual members acting alone. He said for many Afghans, including those who have been removed from home, cricket is a source of hope.