UK Government Says England Should Play Afghanistan Cricket Match
England's upcoming Champions Trophy cricket match against Afghanistan should go ahead despite calls for a boycott over the Taliban's treatment of women, according to a senior British government minister. A group of more than 160 British politicians have called on the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to refuse to play Afghanistan in protest at the women's sports policy of the Taliban. Since returning to power in 2021 the Taliban have effectively banned female participation -- a move that puts the Afghanistan Cricket Board at odds with International Cricket Council (ICC) rules.


