The English cricket team will play Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy this month. Some people wanted England to cancel the match since women and girls in Afghanistan are not allowed to play cricket. However, according to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the match will go on.
Why Do Some People Want England to Cancel the Match?
Many people, including over 160 British politicians, are upset that women in Afghanistan cannot play cricket or take part in many activities. Visit bet pro exchange login for more amazing cricket news.
The Taliban, who rule Afghanistan, have made strict rules that stop women from playing sports. The term “gender apartheid,” which refers to mistreating women simply because they are female, has been used to describe this.
Richard Thompson, the chairman of ECB, said that while it is very sad that girls in Afghanistan cannot play cricket, stopping this match will not help them. Instead, he feels that working with other countries is a better way to make a difference.
Why Is England Still Playing the Match?
Before making this decision, the ECB conferred with the government, the International Cricket Council (ICC), and the England players.
They think that cricket is one of the only things that makes people happy in Afghanistan. Many Afghan supporters adore watching their side play, and the ECB does not want to take it away from them.
Instead of scrapping the match, the ECB will cooperate with the ICC to help Afghan women cricketers.
They have already donated £100,000 to help refugee cricketers and are asking the ICC to support women who had to flee Afghanistan because they were not allowed to play.
What Happens Next?
Afghanistan should have a women’s team, but it doesn’t despite being a member of the ICC and receiving full funding.
The men’s team is being asked to help some Afghan women cricket players who were forced to flee their homeland.
This is particularly challenging, though, because players may be put in danger if they criticize the government.
Richard Thompson noted that while cricket cannot fix all of Afghanistan’s problems, the community must show that they encourage women and girls who enjoy the sport.
For now, the match will happen as planned on February 26 in Lahore, and England hopes to work with other countries to help Afghan women cricketers in the future.
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