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 Taliban government's crackdown on women's rights.

England will play Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy later this month despite calls from British politicians to boycott the match over the Taliban regime's curtailment of women's rights. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Thursday that the fixture would go ahead in Lahore on February 26

England's Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan will go ahead, despite calls for a boycott. A cross-party letter, signed by nearly 200 UK politicians, was sent to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) asking for England to refuse to play in response to the Taliban's human rights record.

The last time Josh Hazlewood played an international game was against India in the drawn third Test at Brisbane. Earlier, Mitchell Marsh was ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to a back injury.

Australia captain Pat Cummins and fast bowler Josh Hazlewood have been ruled out of the Champions Trophy because of injuries.

Match Officials for ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 confirmed. (Photo by PATRICK HAMILTON/AFP /AFP via Getty Images) The International Cricket Council has confirmed the match officials for the to be held in Pakistan and United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 19 February to 9 March.