LONDON (AP) — More than 160 politicians in the U.K. are advocating for the England men's cricket team to boycott the upcoming Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan, scheduled for February 26. This call to action is fueled by concerns regarding the Taliban's escalating assault on women’s rights in Afghanistan.

A letter spearheaded by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi and supported by various political figures, including Nigel Farage and Jeremy Corbyn, urges the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to take a moral stand by refraining from playing in Lahore, Pakistan. The letter underscores that female participation in sport has been effectively banned since the Taliban regained power in 2021, raising concerns about Afghanistan's compliance with International Cricket Council (ICC) rules regarding women’s cricket.

The ECB has responded to the petition, emphasizing the need for a coordinated approach among all ICC members to address the issue. ECB chief executive Richard Gould stated, “A coordinated, ICC-wide approach would be significantly more impactful than unilateral actions by individual members.” He acknowledged the serious concerns surrounding human rights abuses in Afghanistan while also noting the significance of cricket as a source of hope for many Afghans, particularly those displaced from their homeland.

In light of the letter, Gould reaffirmed that the ECB remains committed to avoiding any bilateral matches against Afghanistan, but stopped short of committing to a complete boycott of the match, saying, "We will engage with the UK government, other international boards and the ICC to explore all possible avenues for meaningful change." He recognized the diverse opinions on how best to handle the situation, suggesting that unilateral actions could inadvertently impact Afghanistan's cricketing community negatively.

The issue arises as Afghanistan's men continue to participate in ICC events, despite the absence of women's cricket and the lack of safety for female athletes. The Afghanistan women's team, initially established in 2010, has seen a tragic turn since the Taliban’s return to power, with many players fleeing the country for their safety.

The Champions Trophy, scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, will feature eight teams, with Pakistan hosting the matches. England and Afghanistan are in Group B alongside Australia and South Africa.

For further details, consult the original articles from AP News and BBC Sport.