The England cricket team will proceed with its scheduled match against Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy despite calls for a boycott due to the Taliban’s oppression of women’s rights. ECB Chair Richard Thompson insists on a unified international response instead of unilateral actions. The ECB has also committed financial support to Afghan women cricketers sidelined by the regime, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic change in Afghanistan.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that the England cricket team will participate in the Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan, despite recent advocacy from various lawmakers for a boycott. The match is set to occur in Lahore on February 26. ECB Chair Richard Thompson emphasized that the issue at hand requires a coordinated international response rather than unilateral actions such as a boycott. He stated that cricket plays a significant role for many Afghans, providing them with limited enjoyment amidst ongoing struggles.
Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, the number of women cricketers has drastically declined. Many talented players are now exiled in Australia. The ECB maintains that addressing the situation in Afghanistan requires a unified approach from the cricketing community. Furthermore, they have pledged financial support to assist the regaining of rights for female players. The ECB recently contributed £100,000 to a new refugee fund aimed at supporting Afghan women cricketers.
Thompson also underscored the need for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to contemplate the establishment of a refugee team for Afghan women and to support their development in various roles, beyond playing. He remarked on the dire situation in Afghanistan where systemic restrictions lead to what he termed “gender apartheid”. He noted the heartbreak for Afghan girls who are deprived of opportunities in cricket, especially as the sport flourishes elsewhere in the world.
The Afghanistan national women’s cricket team faced significant challenges following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, which resulted in widespread oppression of women’s rights. Before the takeover, Afghanistan had 25 contracted women players, but most have since fled the country due to the political climate. As international bodies, including cricketing organizations, grapple with the implications of these changes, the ECB’s decision to not boycott reflects a belief in engagement over exclusion. The backdrop of this decision includes pressure from lawmakers and advocacy groups to address the plight of Afghan women, highlighting cricket’s role in their lives despite ongoing adversities.
The ECB’s decision to participate in the Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan showcases their alignment with a broader, coordinated cricketing strategy aimed at addressing women’s rights issues in Afghanistan. By choosing engagement and support over boycott, the ECB aims to contribute positively to the plight of Afghan women cricketers while maintaining the opportunity for ordinary Afghans to find joy in their national team’s performance. Continuous advocacy for women’s cricket within Afghanistan remains paramount in the face of oppressive regimes.
Original Source: dunyanews.tv
