England to face Afghanistan in Champions Trophy amid boycott appeals
What's the story
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that the national team will play their scheduled Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan.
The decision comes despite widespread calls to boycott the match due to the Taliban's suppression of women's rights in Afghanistan.
The game will be played on February 26 in Lahore, as part of the ICC tournament scheduled from February 19 to March 9 across Pakistan and UAE.
Here's more.
Boycott support
Over 160 UK politicians called for match cancelation
The call for a boycott was started by a group of British lawmakers last month, who called on England to skip the Champions Trophy group stage match against Afghanistan.
The appeal has been backed by over 160 British politicians and South Africa's Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie.
The main reason behind these calls is the Taliban government's crackdown on women's rights in the country.
Match confirmation
ECB chair defends decision to play match
Meanwhile, ECB Chair, Richard Thompson, defended the board's decision to go ahead with the match.
"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 in a statement.
Thompson also emphasized that for many ordinary Afghans, watching their cricket team is one of their few remaining sources of enjoyment.
Financial aid
ECB donates to support exiled Afghan women cricketers
The ECB has also donated £100,000 ($124,350) to a new refugee fund set up by the Marylebone Cricket Club.
The fund was set up to aid Afghanistan's exiled women cricketers, who were named as its first beneficiaries.
Thompson stressed that the ECB will continue to push the ICC to do more, including dedicating a large chunk of funding for female players from Afghanistan.
Adding to it, he said, "We will continue to press the ICC to take further action."
Recognition appeal
Thompson calls for recognition of Afghan women's refugee team
Thompson has urged the ICC to consider recognizing an Afghanistan women's refugee team.
He also called on the council to support and develop displaced Afghan women in non-playing roles such as coaches and administrators.
Talking about the situation in Afghanistan, he stated "What is happening in Afghanistan is nothing short of gender apartheid."
He further added that he was heartbroken that Afghan girls were being denied opportunities in cricket, a sport that is growing rapidly around the world.