England’s Ollie Pope pulls out of Afghanistan T20 league draft amid concerns over Taliban’s treatment of women

England’s Ollie Pope during training Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers England batsman Ollie Pope has withdrawn from the draft for the inaugural Afghanistan Premier League (APL) to be held in the United Arab Emirates later this year. His decision comes amid debate over whether England cricketers should take part in the competition because of the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan.Pope was expected to be England’s only centrally contracted 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.“From a legal point of view, it is difficult to stop players from transferring and playing in these competitions,” Key told the Test Match Special podcast, as quoted by the BBC. “It becomes a moral judgment and players have to be prepared to take the right moral stance.“Personally, and that’s easy for me to say, I wouldn’t go play. But the decision is up to the player.”

A debate on cricket and human rights

The ECB has refused to host a bilateral series against Afghanistan since the Taliban return to power in 2021. However, England continue to face Afghanistan in major international tournaments, including the World Cup and the Champions Trophy.Key also expressed his opposition to the treatment of women in Afghanistan. “I don’t agree with the way women are treated in Afghanistan,” Key said. “The way things are happening out there is not something I agree with, so it’s not something I would go and do.However, former England batsman Dawid Malan is among those who have been entered in the APL draft, along with Moeen Ali, James Vince and James Rew. Malan said the players faced a difficult choice between personal convictions and earning a living.“It’s difficult as a player because you have what’s morally right and what’s legal,” Malan said, adding that players often needed their cricket boards to take a clear position.He also questioned why the players were expected to make individual decisions when England continued to play Afghanistan in global tournaments.