English players urged to rethink Afghan T20 league participation
England cricketers registered for the upcoming Afghanistan Premier League face mounting pressure over the Taliban's treatment of women.
English cricketers aiming to feature in a men's T20 franchise tournament organized by the Afghanistan Cricket Board have been urged to think about their daughters, sisters or mothers.
The inaugural edition of the Afghanistan Premier League is scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates later this year, starting on 27 December.
Several high-profile England players, including Ollie Pope, Luke Wood, Moeen Ali, Reece Topley, James Vince, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Laurie Evans, have registered for the October draft.
Their involvement comes despite the England and Wales Cricket Board refusing to schedule bilateral men's fixtures against Afghanistan due to the Taliban's severe restrictions on women and girls.
BBC Sport understands that the ECB policy does not extend to franchise tournaments, meaning players retain the individual freedom to decide on their participation.
The ECB is expected to grant the necessary No Objection Certificates provided the five-team tournament receives formal sanctioning from the International Cricket Council.
Political figures and human rights organizations have strongly criticized the move, pointing out that Afghan women remain banned from playing sport and education is restricted.
Amnesty International has urged players and authorities to question what message participation sends, calling on athletes to use their platform to demand change rather than remain silent.