Can’t unilaterally cancel match with Afghanistan: ECB

KABUL (Pajhwok): The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has rejected calls from the UK Parliament and politicians to cancel upcoming match against Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy.

Afghanistan will play their second group-stage match against England on February 26 in Lahore.

However, according to reports from several foreign media outlets, more than 160 politicians, including members of the UK Parliament, have written a letter to the European Central Bank, urging it to end its support for these matches due to the "Taliban's" violation of women's rights in Afghanistan.

In this letter, the England Cricket Board was explicitly asked to cancel its match with the Afghan team scheduled for February 26 in Lahore, Pakistan, as part of the Champions Trophy matches.

Sky News citied ECB Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Richard Gould, responded to this request by stating that they alone cannot unilaterally cancel their match with Afghanistan’s team.

He added that instead of a unilateral decision, collective action should be considered.

Afghanistan will participate in the ICC Champions Trophy for the first time, which will take place from February 19 to March 9 in Pakistan and the UAE.

Afghanistan are placed in group B alongside with Australia, England and South Africa.

According to the ICC schedule Afghanistan will play their first match on February 21 against South Africa in Karachi.

Afghanistan’s second match will be against England on February 26, followed by their third outing against New Zealand on February 28.

kk/ma