England and Afghanistan cricket team during an ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match. Photo: File England and Afghanistan cricket team during an ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match. Photo: File

As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 draws closer, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) finds itself at the centre of a growing controversy surrounding its scheduled match against Afghanistan. (More Cricket News)

The fixture, slated to take place on February 26 in Lahore, has ignited heated debate amid calls from UK politicians to boycott the game as a protest against the Taliban regime's oppressive policies toward women and girls.

A coalition of over 160 politicians, led by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi and joined by figures such as Nigel Farage and former Labour leaders Jeremy Corbyn and Lord Kinnock, has urged the ECB to take a moral stand.

In an open letter, they called on the governing body to "send a strong message" against the Taliban's draconian restrictions, particularly the effective ban on women's participation in sports.

The Taliban's return to power in 2021 marked a grim turning point for Afghanistan's women, with female athletes forced to flee the country or abandon their careers.

Despite International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations requiring full-member nations to develop women's cricket, Afghanistan's men’s team continues participating in major ICC events without facing meaningful sanctions.

The ECB has expressed its commitment to addressing the issue but stopped short of confirming a boycott. Chief executive Richard Gould highlighted the complexities of unilateral action, emphasising the need for a coordinated approach within the ICC. “A unified response would be far more impactful than isolated measures by individual members,” Gould stated.

While the ECB has maintained its policy of not scheduling bilateral matches against Afghanistan, its participation in ICC tournaments complicates matters. The Champions Trophy, run by the ICC, obligates member nations to fulfil their fixtures. Gould acknowledged the dilemma, balancing the need to uphold human rights with cricket’s role as a source of hope for many Afghans.

“We must carefully consider the unintended consequences of boycotts,” he said. “Cricket remains a unifying force for millions of Afghans, including those displaced by conflict.”

The issue has drawn parallels to Australia’s actions in recent years. The team has refused to play Afghanistan in a bilateral series while still competing against them in ICC tournaments like the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup. Critics argue that such inconsistencies weaken the overall stance against the Taliban's policies.

The UK government has also weighed in on the matter. A spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) reiterated concerns about the erosion of women’s rights in Afghanistan and welcomed the ECB’s efforts to advocate for change within the ICC framework.

Meanwhile, the plight of Afghanistan’s women cricketers remains unresolved, with many now living in exile in Australia, unable to represent their country.

On the other hand, China have qualified for their maiden Asian Champions Trophy final. Their journey to the summit clash has been a rollercoaster ride. They started with a defeat to India but bounced back with a 4-2 win over Malaysia. The hosts then faced a 2-3 loss to South Korea and were also routed 5-1 by Pakistan in the pool stage.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will be co-hosted by Pakistan and Dubai, promises high-stakes cricket with powerhouse teams like India, Pakistan, Australia, and England competing for the title. Yet the political and ethical questions surrounding Afghanistan’s participation cast a shadow over the tournament.

England squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Jos Buttler (c), Jofra Archerlucky sprite, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood

• lucky sprite
• 2025
• Champions
• Trophy
• ICC