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English Cricketers Boycott Afghanistan League Over Women's Rights
14 Oct
Summary
- Three English cricketers withdrew from the Afghanistan Premier League draft.
- Concerns over the Taliban's treatment of women cited as reason.
- ECB acknowledges legal challenges but stresses player moral judgment.
As of October 14, 2026, several English cricketers have withdrawn from the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) draft due to concerns regarding the Taliban's policies on women.
Ollie Pope, David Willey, and Will Smeed have pulled out of the upcoming tournament. This decision highlights the ethical dilemmas faced by players regarding participation in Afghanistan.
Rob Key, ECB's director of cricket, stated that while legally difficult to prevent participation, it ultimately relies on individual player moral judgment. He personally would not participate given the circumstances.
ECB chair Richard Thompson previously characterized the Taliban's actions as 'gender apartheid.' Despite these withdrawals, other English players like Dawid Malan and Moeen Ali remain in the draft pool. Malan defended his position, citing the need for professional income and reliance on guidance from cricket boards and the ICC, provided their participation is approved.
