ECB chief executive Richard Gould has rejected calls from a group of British politicians for England to boycott its upcoming Champions Trophy clash with Afghanistan in February, saying the Taliban regime’s crackdown on women’s rights is an issue. which requires a “coordinated measure”. “an ICC-led response” rather than unilateral action by each country.
England will face Afghanistan in Lahore on February 26 in their second match of the tournament, and the ECB is under pressure to take action after receiving a letter from Labor MP Tonia Antoniazzi, signed by a group of more than 160 parties from all the matches. politicians, including Jeremy Corbyn, Lord Kinnock and Nigel Farage.
“We strongly urge players and officials of the England men’s team to speak out against the horrific treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime,” the letter, addressed to Gould, continued.
“We also urge the ECB to consider a boycott of the next match against Afghanistan… to send a clear signal that such grotesque abuses will not be tolerated. We must oppose sexual apartheid and implore the ECB to send a strong message of solidarity and “We hope to Afghan women and girls that their suffering has not been overlooked.
The situation echoes the dilemma faced by England cricketers at the 2003 World Cup, when Nasser Hussain’s team was urged to boycott their group match against Zimbabwe, then coached by Robert Mugabe, a decision that was ultimately left in the hands of the players and that resulted in a loss of points that ruined their qualification for the later stages of the tournament.
Gould’s response to Antoniazzi confirmed that the ECB has no intention of participating in a bilateral series with Afghanistan while the Taliban regime is in power, but insisted that its participation in ICC events was a matter for the governing body as a whole. whole, and not of individual individuals. members.
“The ECB strongly condemns the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime,” Gould wrote. “The ICC constitution requires all member countries to be committed to the growth and development of women’s cricket. In line with this commitment, the ECB has maintained its position of not scheduling any bilateral cricket match against Afghanistan,” he continued.
“While there has been no consensus on new international actions within the ICC, the ECB will continue to actively advocate for such measures. A coordinated approach at the ICC level would have a significantly greater impact than unilateral actions by individual members.
“We recognize and respect diverse perspectives on this global issue,” Gould added. “We understand the concerns expressed 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.
“It is crucial to recognize the importance of cricket as a source of hope and positivity for many Afghans, including those displaced in the country. The ECB is committed to finding a solution that defends the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan while also considering the broader perspective impact on the Afghan people.
“We will continue to engage in constructive dialogue with the UK Government, other stakeholders, the ICC and other international cricket boards to explore all possible avenues to achieve meaningful change.”
