Jos Buttler Dismisses Boycott Calls for Afghanistan at Champions Trophy 2025

ISLAMABAD
The controversy gained momentum following a letter from Tonia Antoniazzi, a Labour MP, to the ECB chief executive, Richard Gould. Signed by over 160 British politicians, the letter criticized the Taliban’s treatment of women, describing the situation as “sex apartheid” and “insidious dystopia.”
Antoniazzi then urged England’s men’s team to boycott the match, stating that such a move would send a strong signal against the “grotesque abuses” women and girls face under the Taliban, where female participation in sports has been banned since 2021.
Gould, backed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Sport and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, rejected the boycott calls, emphasizing the need for a “coordinated, ICC-led response.” Starmer called on the ICC to adhere to its governance rules, while Nandy argued that unilateral actions like boycotts would be counterproductive.
Speaking ahead of England’s T20I series against India, Jos Buttler expressed confidence in the team’s ability to navigate the politically charged situation ahead of the Champions Trophy, emphasizing the importance of expert guidance.
“I don’t think a boycott is the way to go about it,” Buttler stated. “As players, we try to educate ourselves and stay informed. I’ve been in dialogue with Rob Key and others in leadership to understand the situation better. We trust the experts to guide us on this.” He also drew a distinction from the boycott dilemma England faced at the 2003 World Cup, where the team forfeited a group-stage match against Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe’s regime, ultimately derailing their campaign.
Buttler highlighted that the players are focused on their preparations for the Champions Trophy and expressed optimism about the match proceeding as planned.
“These things can be tricky, but as players, we want to focus on cricket,” he added. “We hope to participate in the tournament and play that game, ensuring it’s a good competition for everyone involved.”