English Cricketers Face Pressure Over Afghanistan T20 Tournament Participation

English cricketers considering participation in the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) have been urged to reflect on the human rights implications of their decision.

The inaugural edition of the Afghanistan Premier League will take place in the United Arab Emirates later this year, drawing attention to ongoing concerns about women’s rights in Afghanistan.

Seven English players, including Ollie Pope and Luke Wood, have already registered for the tournament draft scheduled for October. Their involvement comes amid the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) policy of not engaging in bilateral men’s cricket with Afghanistan due to the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls.

BBC Sport reports that the ECB’s restrictions do not extend to franchise tournaments, allowing individual players to make their own choices. The ECB is expected to issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) if the tournament receives sanction from the International Cricket Council (ICC), which is currently reviewing the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s (ACB) application.

Last year, ECB chair Richard Thompson condemned the Taliban’s systematic oppression of women and girls, describing it as “gender apartheid.” This stance has drawn support from political figures, including Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, who previously led calls for boycotts during England’s matches against Afghanistan.

“Why are we here again? Women and girls in Afghanistan are denied the same rights as those in our country,” Antoniazzi said. “Does that not concern the players, especially those with daughters, sisters or mothers?”

She expressed hope that the ICC would refuse to sanction the tournament, arguing that continuing to allow Afghanistan full-member status undermines the organization’s principles.

The APL is planned as a five-team competition starting on December 27, with several Irish and Scottish players also registering for the draft. Human rights organizations have joined the debate, with Amnesty International’s Felix Jakens urging players to consider the broader message of their participation.

“Since 2021, Afghan women have been banned from playing sport, and girls remain barred from education beyond the age of 11,” Jakens noted. “Any English player considering the APL should ask what message that sends to those girls.”

Afghanistan’s women cricketers have been competing as a refugee team since the Taliban’s takeover, supported financially by the ICC along with cricket boards from England, India, and Australia. In July, the ICC extended funding for this arrangement until 2032, reaffirming its commitment to supporting these athletes.

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