New Delhi: Critics are strongly criticizing the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for allowing the mens national cricket team to play Afghanistan in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Among those voicing their disapproval are broadcaster Piers Morgan and the UK-based Womens Rights Network. They accuse the ECB of being misogynistic for moving forward with the match at a time when Afghan women are facing severe injustices under the Taliban regime. The Afghanistan womens cricket team was disbanded in 2021 after the Taliban seized control of Kabul forcing female cricketers to find refuge in Australia. Since the takeover girls in Afghanistan have been barred from attending educational institutions beauty parlors public parks and gyms. In a recent development the Taliban has further restricted women by forbidding windows that have views into areas meant for them. Women in Afghanistan experience limitations on basic activities which men do not face as seen with the national cricket team. For instance despite such disparities Afghanistans cricket team reached the semi-finals of last years T20 World Cup although they were eventually defeated by South Africa. When Afghanistan gained full membership in the ICC back in 2017 there was an agreement that they had to encourage both mens and womens cricket teams. Although the Afghanistan Cricket Board was making moves by offering central contracts to a handful of female players before the Talibans return theres currently no womens team in place. Interestingly even without an active womens team Afghanistan remains part of the ICC and the rationale behind this choice is not well understood. The former ICC chairman Greg Barclay made comments that shed light on why Australia chose not to engage in bilateral matches with Afghanistan. Australia decided to cancel a T20 cricket series with Afghanistan scheduled for March 2024 expressing concerns over the state of womens rights in Afghanistan a nation facing significant challenges due to ongoing conflict. Before handing over his role at the ICC to Jay Shah Barclay expressed that politics has no place in sports. If you want to make a political statement dont play them in a World Cup” he told the UK’s Telegraph Sport. Sure it might cost you a semi-final place but principles are principles. It’s not about having half a principle. When asked why there are no sanctions on Afghanistans mens cricket team Barclay clarified that the issue is about the cricket boards conduct. He remarked It might seem easy to remove Afghanistan but their cricket board hasnt done anything wrong. Theyre following rules and laws that define what they can do. I think kicking them out wouldnt really affect those in power in Afghanistan. Maybe I’m a little naïve but I think cricket is such a force for good there and it brings a lot of joy to a lot of people. It is better to leave it there and hope that it can foster a bit of a change added Barclay. Its a real feel-good story – a sport that was played in the refugee camps 25 years ago and now they have played in a World Cup semi-final. Do you really want to turn the tap off? questioned Barclay recalling Afghanistan’s run to the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final. The 2025 Champions Trophy is kicking off on February 19 with an exciting match between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi. India grouped with Pakistan New Zealand and Bangladesh in Group A has chosen to play all its games in Dubai because of safety worries about traveling to Pakistan. Group B is set to witness an interesting competition with newcomers Afghanistan facing off against England Australia and South Africa.