Women’s rights activists have called for England’s men’s cricket team to forfeit its scheduled match against Afghanistan in the ICC Champions Trophy group stage on February 26. The demand comes in response to the Taliban’s “systematic oppression” of women since taking control of Afghanistan in August 2021.
The Women’s Rights Network (WRN) issued a statement on Monday urging England not only to forgo the February match but also to boycott all sporting competitions against Afghanistan’s national teams.
The WRN’s statement called on the UK government, sports authorities, and individual players to take a stand.
“Pride in the team shirt includes pride in your country’s record on standing up for human rights and against dictators who bask in the kudos of sporting success,” the group wrote. “What is happening to the women of Afghanistan is appalling. Any sportsman of conscience should do what is right: Boycott Afghanistan.”
The WRN also called on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to support a blanket boycott of Afghanistan in all sports. “Players and coaches must examine their consciences,” the group added. “How can you in all conscience play a country that denies women their basic human rights?”
Since the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul on August 15, 2021, Afghanistan has seen a sharp deterioration in women’s rights. The regime has imposed a strict interpretation of Sharia law that severely restricts women’s movements, education, and public roles.
Women are barred from leaving their homes without a male relative, must wear full veils in public, and are forbidden to sing, recite, or speak publicly. Secondary and higher education for women has been entirely banned since 2022, with limited online courses offering little recourse as women are not permitted to take exams.
In August 2024, Taliban leaders issued a new law banning women’s voices and faces from public spaces under the pretext of promoting virtue.
The United Nations has expressed grave concern over the Taliban’s policies. Fiona Frazer, head of the UN’s human rights service in Afghanistan, stated in July, “The de facto authorities’ increasing and expanding oversight gives cause for significant concern for all Afghans, especially women and girls.”
England’s cricket team has not yet commented on the WRN’s demands, and it remains unclear whether the February match will proceed as planned.
