England have ‘power’ to boycott Afghanistan match – MP

England’s men’s players have the “power” to make their own stand and refuse to play Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy, according to Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) met with Antoniazzi on Tuesday after she sent a cross-party letter to the governing body, signed by nearly 200 UK politicians, which called on the ECB to boycott the fixture.

The Taliban regime’s assault on women’s rights is being opposed by those UK politicians who want the team to refuse to play the 50-over game in Lahore on February 26.

Women’s participation in sport has effectively been outlawed since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, and many of Afghanistan’s female players left the country for their own safety.

After speaking with the ECB and maintaining its non-committal position on a boycott, Antoniazzi told BBC Sport that England’s players could make their own decision.

“The power lies in the team. The athletes who participate in the sport possess the most power. The power lies with them – it’s in their hands”, the MP for Gower said.

“How big is England cricket? It’s huge. I want them to realize that their enormous standing in the sport industry and how much influence they have will be used to change the world.

The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) responded to BBC Sport’s report that individual England players might be considering boycotting the game by calling it “an extremely complex issue.”

The Taliban regime’s abhorrent treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan is appalled, according to a spokesperson.

The PCA and the World Cricketers’ Association are still in contact with the ECB regarding this.

According to the International Cricket Council (ICC) rules, having women’s cricket teams and pathway structures is required to be eligible for full membership.

However, Afghanistan’s men’s team have been allowed to participate in ICC tournaments seemingly without any sanctions.

The ECB will work with the UK government, other international boards, and the ICC to “explore all possible avenues for meaningful change,” according to ECB CEO Richard Gould, who acknowledged there were “different viewpoints” on the subject.

We fully understand the concerns of those who think a boycott of men’s cricket might unintentionally support the Taliban’s efforts to enslave and isolate Afghan society, Gould said.

It’s crucial to acknowledge the value of cricket for many Afghans, including those who have been forced out of their homes, as a source of optimism and hope.

Antoniazzi felt the ECB’s non-committal response to a boycott” didn’t show any sort of backbone”, and was critical when asked about Gould’s comments on men’s cricket providing hope in Afghanistan.

She added:” What about women? Where does the women’s hope stand? Where’s the hope for women that want to play sport, want to go to school, that want to be able to work? Where does hope hold for them?

Gould also urged “a coordinated, ICC-wide approach” on Monday, which he felt would be “more impactful than unilateral actions by individual members”, and said the ECB would “actively advocate” on “further international action”.

The prime minister’s official spokesperson said Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the ECB “making representations” to the ICC.

He agreed cricket had been a “beacon of hope” for Afghanistan, but the ICC should “clearly deliver on its own rules” that state countries should have both men and women’s teams.

The ICC needs comment after BBC Sport has contacted them.

After the Taliban’s return to power, more than 20 Afghan women’s cricketers are currently residing in Australia.

England and Afghanistan have only met once in the 2023 50-over World Cup, when they have both played in one-day internationals and T20 internationals. All three of these matches took place at ICC events.