England Rules Out Bilateral Matches With Afghanistan Outside ICC Events

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that it will not approve bilateral cricket matches against Afghanistan outside International Cricket Council (ICC) events, citing ongoing concerns about women’s rights under Taliban rule.

ECB chairperson Richard Thompson said the board’s position remains unchanged due to restrictions placed on women and girls in Afghanistan, including limits on education, public life, and participation in sports such as cricket.

Thompson had previously faced pressure from more than 160 cross-party Members of Parliament to withdraw England from its Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan last year. However, the ECB decided to fulfill the fixture because it was part of an ICC tournament.

Despite participating in ICC events, the ECB has made clear that it will not agree to any bilateral series with Afghanistan, including possible Test matches.

The issue has gained attention again as the proposed expanded World Test Championship (WTC) is expected to include Afghanistan in a single division alongside all 12 Test-playing nations for the first time.

Although the ICC working group has proposed allowing cricket boards greater flexibility over scheduling fixtures, the ECB said it would use that discretion to avoid arranging bilateral series with Afghanistan.

According to Thompson, maintaining sporting ties with Taliban authorities would not be appropriate given the ongoing restrictions on women’s rights in the country.

The ECB stated that it will only play Afghanistan in multi-team ICC tournaments, where withdrawing unilaterally could result in sanctions.

At present, no bilateral Test series between England and Afghanistan is being considered, and sources close to the ECB said none are expected to be scheduled in the foreseeable future.

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