More than 160 British politicians have signed a letter urging players of the men’s cricket team to refuse to play their next Champions Trophy match in Lahore, Pakistan, on February 26. Written by Labor Party politician Tonia Antoniazzi, the letter urges players and officials “to speak out against the horrific treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.”
The letter is addressed to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and also calls on the governing body to boycott the match, in order to send the message that “such grotesque abuses will not be tolerated”.
When the Taliban returned to power in 2021, women’s rights were significantly reduced, forcing them to cover their faces, risk torture and execution if they protest, and limiting access to work, education and sport: women are not allowed to go to gyms or practice any sport.
The Afghanistan women’s cricket team was disbanded and many players fled the country, but not all athletes were so lucky, as the letter recounts.female athletes’ homes were raided, and some were forced to burn their kits to avoid identification“.
As well as being a clear violation of human rights, this practice is also in contradiction with International Cricket Council (ICC) rules which require all nations to support and fund women’s cricket. However, the ICC did not ban the Afghanistan men’s cricket team, which has continued to play internationally since 2021.
The England and Wales Cricket Board is unsure what action to take.
Richard Gould, chief executive of ECB, said they will speak with the UK government and the ICC to explore options, but also “recognize and respect diverse perspectives on this global issue“, saying that there are concerns that “A boycott of men’s cricket could inadvertently support Taliban efforts to suppress freedoms and isolate Afghan society“.
“It is crucial to recognize the importance of cricket as a source of hope and positivity for many Afghans, including those who have been displaced from the country“, he said, adding that “The ECB is committed to finding a solution that respects the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan while considering the broader impact on the Afghan people.”
Gould also urged the ICC to launch “coordinated action” that would have more impact than unilateral actions by individual members. However, this could end up being up to the players: if they choose to boycott the match and refuse to play, quicker and more urgent action could be taken. “The power lies in the team. The power lies in the people who play this sport,” Antoniazzi said, criticizing the ECB’s lukewarm response to the situation.
