Jos Buttler Opposes Calls for England to Boycott Afghanistan Match

The England cricket captain advocates playing the Champions Trophy game despite political pressure over the Taliban's treatment of women.

More than 160 British politicians have urged the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to boycott the February 26 match against Afghanistan in Lahore, citing the Taliban's oppression of women.
The Taliban's return to power in 2021 has led to the effective ban of women in sports, putting Afghanistan's cricket board at odds with International Cricket Council (ICC) rules.
England captain Jos Buttler stated that he does not believe a boycott is the solution, emphasizing the importance of keeping politics separate from sports.
ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould has rejected calls for a boycott, instead advocating for collective action by the ICC to address gender inequality in Afghanistan.
The England team is grouped with Afghanistan, Australia, and South Africa in the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19 in Pakistan.