Pope withdraws from Afghan league draft amid concerns over treatment of women

England's Ollie Pope during practice session Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

England batter Ollie Pope has withdrawn from the draft for the inaugural Afghanistan Premier League (APL), which is scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates later this year. His decision comes amid debate over whether English cricketers should participate in the competition because of the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan.Pope was expected to be the only centrally contracted England player in the draft. However, his withdrawal was understood to be his own decision, rather than a direct result of discussions with England director of cricket Rob Key. Players need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to participate in overseas leagues.

“Legally it is hard to stop players going over and playing in these competitions,” Key told the Test Match Special podcast, as quoted by BBC.

“It becomes a moral judgement and players have to be prepared to take the right moral stance.“Personally, and it is easy for me to say, I would not go and play. But it is down to the player to make that decision.”

The debate over cricket and human rights

The ECB has refused to arrange bilateral series against Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. However, England continue to face Afghanistan in major international tournaments, including the World Cup and Champions Trophy.

Key also expressed his opposition to the treatment of women in Afghanistan. “I don't agree with the way women have been treated in Afghanistan,” said Key. “The way things happen out there is not something I agree with so it is not something I would go and do.”

Former England batter Dawid Malan, however, is among those entered in the APL draft, alongside Moeen Ali, James Vince and James Rew. Malan said players faced a difficult choice between personal beliefs and earning a living.“As a player it is tough because you have what is morally right and what is by the law,” Malan said, adding that players often needed their cricket boards to take a clear position.He also questioned why players were expected to make individual decisions when England continued to play Afghanistan in global tournaments.