English cricketers aiming to play successful a men's T20 franchise tourney organised by the Afghanistan Cricket Board person been urged to deliberation astir their "daughters, sisters oregon mothers".
The inaugural variation of the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) volition beryllium staged successful the United Arab Emirates aboriginal this year.
England players Ollie Pope and Luke Wood person some registered for the tourney draft, held successful October, on with chap Englishmen Moeen Ali, Reece Topley, James Vince, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Laurie Evans.
Their engagement comes contempt the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) refusal to docket bilateral men's cricket against Afghanistan due to the fact that of the Taliban's attraction of women and girls.
BBC Sport understands the ECB's argumentation does not widen to franchise tournaments, meaning players tin determine for themselves whether to participate.
The ECB is apt to assistance players the No Objection Certificates (NOCs) required to play, provided the tourney is sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has applied to the ICC for support to signifier the tourney and that exertion is presently being considered.
Last year, ECB seat Richard Thompson utilized the word "gender apartheid" to picture the Taliban's systematic oppression and regularisation of women's and girls' rights successful Afghanistan.
When England and Afghanistan past met, astatine the 2025 Champions Trophy, determination were calls for the fixture to beryllium boycotted and a cross-party missive 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 deliberation earnestly astir the consequences of participating.
"Why are we present again? Women and girls successful Afghanistan are denied the aforesaid rights arsenic those successful our country, and the women's squad lives successful exile," she said.
"Does that not interest the players, particularly those with daughters, sisters oregon mothers?
"I anticipation the ICC refuses to authorisation this event. Continuing to let Afghanistan full-member presumption makes a mockery of its ain rank criteria."
The five-team APL is owed to commencement connected 27 December. A fig of Irish and Scottish players, including Jai Moondra and Brandon McMullen, person besides registered for the APL draft.
Amnesty International's Felix Jakens told the players to springiness due thought to playing successful a tourney organised by a cricket committee from a state which has "erased women and girls from nationalist life".
"Since 2021, Afghan women person been banned from playing sport, and girls stay barred from acquisition beyond the property of 11," helium said.
"Any English subordinate considering the APL, and the ECB weighing their NOCs, should inquire what connection that sends to those girls.
"And they should usage their level and power to request the Taliban reverse its battle connected women's rights, not enactment soundless portion it continues."
Afghanistan's women cricketers person been playing arsenic a exile squad since the Taliban took power, funded by the ICC on with the boards of England, India and Australia.
In July, the ICC extended its backing for the Afghan women until 2032 and made a stronger committedness to allowing the squad to enactment successful qualification events successful the future.
English (US)·