English players urged to reconsider Afghan T20 tournament

Key Takeaways

• English cricketers aiming to play in a men's T20 franchise tournament organised by the Afghanistan Cricket Board have been urged to think about their
• The inaugural edition of the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) will be staged in the United Arab Emirates later this year
• England players Ollie Pope and Luke Wood have both registered for the tournament draft, held in October, along with fellow Englishmen Moeen Ali, Reece
• Their involvement comes despite the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) refusal to schedule bilateral men's cricket against Afghanistan because of
• BBC Sport understands the ECB's policy does not extend to franchise tournaments, meaning players can decide for themselves whether to participate

English cricketers aiming to play in a men's T20 franchise tournament organised by the Afghanistan Cricket Board have been urged to think about their "daughters, sisters or mothers".

The inaugural edition of the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) will be staged in the United Arab Emirates later this year.

England players Ollie Pope and Luke Wood have both registered for the tournament draft, held in October, along with fellow Englishmen Moeen Ali, Reece Topley, James Vince, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Laurie Evans.

Their involvement comes despite the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) refusal to schedule bilateral men's cricket against Afghanistan because of the Taliban's treatment of women and girls.

BBC Sport understands the ECB's policy does not extend to franchise tournaments, meaning players can decide for themselves whether to participate.

The ECB is likely to grant players the No Objection Certificates (NOCs) required to play, provided the tournament is sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has applied to the ICC for approval to stage the tournament and that application is currently being considered.

Last year, ECB chair Richard Thompson used the term "gender apartheid" to describe the Taliban's systematic oppression and restriction of women's and girls' rights in Afghanistan.

When England and Afghanistan last met, at the 2025 Champions Trophy, there were calls for the fixture to be boycotted and a cross-party letter signed by 200 MPs was sent to the ECB.

Tonia Antoniazzi, the Labour MP who led those calls, has told BBC Sport that players considering the APL should think seriously about the consequences of participating.

"Why are we here again? 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?

"I hope the ICC refuses to sanction this event. Continuing to allow Afghanistan full-member status makes a mockery of its own membership criteria."

The five-team APL is due to start on 27 December. A number of Irish and Scottish players, including Jai Moondra and Brandon McMullen, have also registered for the APL draft.

Amnesty International's Felix Jakens told the players to give proper thought to playing in a tournament organised by a cricket board from a country which has "erased women and girls from public life".

"Since 2021, Afghan women have been banned from playing sport, and girls remain barred from education beyond the age of 11," he said.

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

"And they should use their platform and influence to demand the Taliban reverse its assault on women's rights, not stay silent while it continues."

Afghanistan's women cricketers have been playing as a refugee team since the Taliban took power, funded by the ICC along with the boards of England, India and Australia.

In July, the ICC extended its funding for the Afghan women until 2032 and made a stronger commitment to allowing the team to participate in qualification events in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

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English cricketers aiming to play in a men's T20 franchise tournament organised by the Afghanistan Cricket Board have been urged to think about their "daughters, sisters or mothers".