England to face Afghanistan in Champions Trophy despite boycott calls

England will play Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy later this month, despite calls from British politicians to boycott the fixture over the Taliban regime's restrictions on women's rights.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on 8 February that the match would go ahead in Lahore on 26 February after discussions with the UK government, the International Cricket Council (ICC), and England players.

More than 160 British politicians had urged a boycott, highlighting that female participation in sport has been effectively banned since the Taliban's return to power in 2021. This policy contradicts ICC regulations, yet Afghanistan's men's team remains eligible to compete.

ECB chairman Richard Thompson acknowledged the situation as "gender apartheid" but stated that withdrawing from the fixture was not the best course of action.

"We remain of the view that a coordinated international response by the cricketing community is the appropriate way forward and will achieve more than any unilateral action by the ECB in boycotting this match," Thompson said.

"We have also heard that for many ordinary Afghans, watching their cricket team is one of the few remaining sources of enjoyment. As such, we can confirm that we will play this fixture."

Afghanistan have made significant strides in white-ball cricket in recent years, climbing to eighth in the one-day international world rankings, just one place below England.

Both teams will also face Australia and South Africa in Group B of the 50-over tournament, which will take place in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates from 19 February to 9 March.