England’s men’s players have the “power” to make their own stand and refuse to play Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy, according to Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) met with Antoniazzi on Tuesday after she sent a cross-party letter to the governing body, signed by nearly 200 UK politicians, which called on the ECB to boycott the fixture.
Those UK politicians want the team to refuse to play the 50-over match in Lahore on 26 February and take a stand against the Taliban regime’s assault on women’s rights.
Women’s participation in sport has effectively been outlawed since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, and many of Afghanistan’s female players left the country for their own safety.
In the wake of her meeting with the ECB, where the governing body maintained its non-committal position on a boycott, Antoniazzi told BBC Sport that England’s players can choose to make their own stand on the issue.
“The power lies in the team. The power lies in the people that play the sport. The power lies with them – it’s in their hands,” the MP for Gower said.
“How big is England cricket? It’s huge. They have a huge standing in the world of sport and they do have an influence, and I want them to realise that that influence is what they should use to make a difference.”
The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) declined to comment on the prospect of individual England players potentially boycotting the fixture, but told BBC Sport it is “an extremely complex issue”.
A spokesperson said: “The PCA is appalled at the abhorrent treatment of the women and girls under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
“The PCA continues to engage with the ECB and the World Cricketers’ Association on the matter.”
As the matter relates to individual player views the ECB did not feel it was appropriate to comment.
