INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
England will play their Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan later this month, England&s cricket board (ECB) said on Thursday, despite
calls to boycott the game in response to the Islamic Emirate&s restrictions on women.Last month, a group of British lawmakers urged England
to boycott the Champions Trophy group stage match against Afghanistan which will be held in Lahore on February 26.South Africa Sports
Minister Gayton McKenzie also supported calls for a boycott.However, ECB chair Richard Thompson said they would play the match after
discussions with the government, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the players, adding that the cricketing community alone cannot
tackle Afghanistan&s problems.&We remain of the view that a co-ordinated international response by the cricketing community is the
appropriate way forward and will achieve more than any unilateral action by the ECB in boycotting this match,& Thompson said in a
statement.&We have also heard that for many ordinary Afghans, watching their cricket team is one of the few remaining sources of enjoyment
As such, we can confirm that we will play this fixture.&The Islamic Emirate says it respect women&s rights in accordance with Islamic law
and local customs and that they are internal matters that should be addressed locally.The post England will not boycott Afghanistan match at
Champions Trophy: ECB first appeared on Ariana News.
