LONDON: England will play Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy later this month despite calls from British politicians to boycott the match over the Taliban regime’s curtailment of women’s rights.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Thursday that the fixture would go ahead in Lahore on February 26 after consulting with the UK government, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and England players.
More than 160 British politicians had called for a boycott as female participation in sport has effectively been outlawed since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
That puts the Afghanistan cricket board at odds with ICC rules, though the men’s team are allowed to compete.
ECB chairman Richard Thompson described the situation in Afghanistan as “gender apartheid” but said the match would take place.
“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,” he 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 become a greater force in white-ball cricket in recent years, rising to eighth in the one-day international world rankings, just one place below England.
Both sides will also face Australia and South Africa in Group B of the 50-over tournament, which will be hosted in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates from February 19 until March 9.
England to play Afghanistan in Champions Trophy despite boycott calls
https://arab.news/2xz35
England to play Afghanistan in Champions Trophy despite boycott calls
- England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Thursday that the fixture would go ahead in Lahore on February 26
‘Animals in a zoo’: Swiatek backs Gauff call for more privacy
- Coco Gauff upset when cameras caught her smashing her racquet in the depths of the stadium on Tuesday after she was beaten in the Australian Open quarter-finals
MELBOURNE: World number two Iga Swiatek on Wednesday backed Coco Gauff’s call for more privacy during tournaments, saying players sometimes feel “like animals in the zoo where they are observed even when they poop.”
Third seed Gauff was upset when cameras caught her smashing her racquet in the depths of the stadium on Tuesday after she was beaten in the Australian Open quarter-finals.
The American was trying to find somewhere private to let out her frustrations, rather than doing so on court in front of fans including children.
“I tried to go somewhere where they wouldn’t broadcast it, but obviously they did,” said Gauff.
“So maybe some conversations can be had because I feel like at this tournament the only private place we have is the locker room.”
Swiatek, who was also bundled out of the quarter-finals in Melbourne by Elena Rybakina, said back-stage cameras could be too intrusive.
“The question is, are we tennis players, or are we animals in the zoo where they are observed even when they poop, you know?” she said.
“Okay, that was exaggerating obviously, but it would be nice to have some privacy. It would be nice also to, I don’t know, have your own process and not always be observed.
“It would be nice to have some space where you can do that without the whole world watching.”
Swiatek was caught up in her own off-court drama earlier in the week when she was denied access to an area in Melbourne Park because she was not wearing her accreditation.
It was recorded on camera and the clip did the rounds on social media.
“I don’t think it should be like that because we’re tennis players,” she said.
“We’re meant to be watched on the court and in the press. That’s our job. It’s not our job to be a meme when you forget your accreditation.
“Oh, it’s funny, yeah, for sure. People have something to talk about, but for us I don’t think it’s necessary.”
Swiatek’s straight-sets loss to Rybakina denied her a career Grand Slam of all four majors.
She has won four French Opens, the US Open and Wimbledon, but a title at Melbourne Park remains elusive.
