England players urged to reconsider Afghanistan Premier League roles over women’s rights concerns

English players face pressure over Afghanistan T20 tournament

English cricketers considering participation in the inaugural Afghanistan Premier League have been urged to reflect on the treatment of women and girls under Taliban rule before committing to the tournament.

Ollie Pope, Luke Wood, Moeen Ali, Reece Topley, James Vince, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Laurie Evans have registered for the five-team tournament’s draft, which is due to take place in October. The competition is scheduled to begin in the United Arab Emirates on 27 December.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has refused to schedule bilateral men’s cricket against Afghanistan because of the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s rights. However, the policy does not cover franchise tournaments, meaning players can make their own decisions about whether to take part.

The ECB is expected to issue the necessary no-objection certificates if the tournament is sanctioned by the International Cricket Council. The Afghanistan Cricket Board has applied for approval, and the ICC is considering the request.

‘Think about the consequences’

Tonia Antoniazzi, the Labour MP who previously called for England’s fixture against Afghanistan at the 2025 Champions Trophy to be boycotted, said players should think seriously about the consequences of joining the league.

“Women and girls in Afghanistan are denied the same rights as those in our country, and the women’s team lives in exile,” she said. “Does that not concern the players, especially those with daughters, sisters or mothers?”

Amnesty International’s Felix Jakens also called on players and the ECB to consider the message their involvement could send. He said Afghan women had been “erased” from public life, with women banned from playing sport and girls barred from education beyond the age of 11.

“Any English player considering the APL, and the ECB weighing their NOCs, should ask what message that sends to those girls,” Jakens said.

Afghanistan women’s team remains in exile

Afghanistan has been a full ICC member since June 2017, but its women cricketers have played as a refugee team since the Taliban returned to power. The team receives funding from the ICC and the cricket boards of England, India and Australia.

The ICC extended that funding until 2032 in July and said it would make a stronger commitment to helping the Afghan women’s team participate in future qualification events.

Irish and Scottish players, including Jai Moondra and Brandon McMullen, have also registered for the APL draft.