ECB chief executive Richard Gould has rejected calls from a group of British politicians to boycott England’s upcoming Champions Trophy clash with Afghanistan in February, saying the Taliban regime’s crackdown on women’s rights is a case in point. Which requires “coordination”. “ICC-led, response” rather than unilateral action from individual countries.
England are due to face Afghanistan in Lahore on February 26 in their second match of the tournament, and the ECB is under pressure to act after receiving a letter from Labor MP Tonia Antoniazzi, signed by a cross-party group of more than 160. Politicians, including Jeremy Corbyn, Lord Kinnock and Nigel Farage.
The letter addressed to Gould further said, “We 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.”
“We also urge the ECB to consider a boycott of the upcoming match against Afghanistan… to send a clear signal that this type of despicable abuse will not be tolerated. We must stand up against gender apartheid and “We urge the ECB to send a strong message of solidarity and Afghan women and girls hope that their suffering will not go unnoticed.”
This situation echoes the dilemma that England cricketers faced at the 2003 World Cup, when Nasser Hussain’s team was urged to boycott their group-stage match with Zimbabwe, led by Robert Mugabe. – a decision that was ultimately left up to the players, and resulted in a point being forfeited which ended their qualification for the later stages of the tournament.
Gould’s response to Antoniazzi confirmed that the ECB has no intention of being involved in a bilateral series with Afghanistan while the Taliban regime remains in power, but stressed that their participation in ICC events is within the interests of the governing body as a whole. It is a matter, not about any particular person. Member.
“The ECB strongly condemns the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime,” Gold wrote. He further said, “The ICC Constitution states that all Member States are committed to the growth and development of women’s cricket. In line with this commitment, the ECB has maintained its position of not organizing any bilateral cricket matches against Afghanistan “
“While consensus has not been reached within the ICC on further international action, the ECB will continue to actively advocate for such measures. A coordinated, ICC-wide approach would be significantly more impactful than unilateral action by individual members.
“We accept and respect diverse perspectives on this global issue,” Gould said. “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 freedom and isolate Afghan society.
“It is important to recognize the importance of cricket as a source of hope and positivity for many Afghans, including those displaced from the country. The ECB is committed to finding a solution that upholds the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan as well as the wider Consider the issues also.” Impact on Afghan people
“We will continue to engage constructively with the UK Government, other stakeholders, the ICC and other international cricket boards to explore all possible avenues for meaningful change.”
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