According to reports, the England and Wales Cricket Board has turned down requests from over 160 lawmakers to boycott England’s Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan because of the way women are treated in a nation run by the Taliban.

More than 160 lawmakers have written to the ECB encouraging them to boycott England’s Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan on February 26.

We urge the players and administrators of the England men’s team to speak out against the Taliban’s appalling abuse of women and children in Afghanistan. Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi sent a letter to ECB CEO Richard Gould that said, “We also urge the ECB to consider a boycott of the upcoming match against Afghanistan to send a clear signal that such grotesque abuses will not be tolerated.”

“We must stand against sex apartheid, and we implore the ECB to deliver a firm message of solidarity and hope to Afghan women and girls that their suffering has not been overlooked,” the letter said.

According to a Sky Sports article, Gould responded to the boycott letter by saying, “ECB strongly condemns the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime” and indicating that it prefers a coordinated approach from all member states rather than taking independent action.

“We understand the concerns raised by those who believe that a boycott of men’s cricket could inadvertently support the Taliban’s efforts to suppress freedoms and isolate Afghan society.”

“All member countries are required under the ICC Constitution to be dedicated to the development of women’s cricket. The ECB has stuck to its stance of not planning any bilateral cricket matches against Afghanistan in keeping with this commitment,” he said.

The ICC has yet to reach an agreement on further international action, but the ECB will keep pushing for such steps. The effect of a coordinated, ICC-wide strategy would be much greater than that of individual members acting alone.

“While taking into account the wider effects on the Afghan people, the ECB is dedicated to finding a solution that protects the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan. In order to investigate every opportunity for significant reform, we will keep having productive conversations with the UK Government, other interested parties, the ICC, and other international cricket bodies,” Gould said.

Due to the Taliban regime’s prohibitions on women, Australia has notably stopped playing a number of men’s series against Afghanistan in recent years. However, the two sides did play each other in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup.