England captain Jos Buttler expressed sadness over the treatment of women in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan but emphasized the importance of playing against the Afghan team as a means to provide hope. Following calls from British lawmakers to boycott the match, Buttler highlighted the support from the ECB and the need for education regarding the situation. He stated that while the team acknowledges the struggles faced by Afghan women, they believe sports can unite and inspire. As England prepares for a must-win match against Australia, Buttler remains focused on improving their own performance despite past setbacks.
File image of Jos Buttler.© PTI
Jos Buttler, captain of the England cricket team, expressed that he and his teammates are deeply concerned about the situation of women in Afghanistan. However, they have chosen to participate in the upcoming match against the Taliban-ruled team, believing that sports can provide hope during challenging times. Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, women have been barred from participating in sports, along with facing severe restrictions on education and employment. Recently, a group of British lawmakers urged the England team to withdraw from the Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan as a protest against the country’s treatment of women.
On the eve of the match, Buttler was questioned about the team’s decision to proceed with the game.
“I’ve been consulting many experts. I owe much to Rob Key and the ECB for their incredible support, providing us with the necessary information and education, ensuring it was an ECB decision,” Buttler stated.
“We’re truly saddened by the situation for women and girls in Afghanistan and the challenges they are enduring. Yet, we hope that tomorrow’s game can serve as a source of hope and enjoyment during these difficult times.”
“We’re very excited about the match. Sport has an extraordinary ability to bring people together and inspire hope, which is the aspiration we hold for this game.” After their loss to Australia, England now faces a crucial must-win situation, with the memory of their 2023 ODI World Cup defeat against the same opponents fresh in their minds.
“They are a highly competitive side that has continued to improve over the years, and we respect them greatly. They possess unique strategies, especially with standout spin options like Rashid and Noor, which we need to prepare for thoroughly.”
“However, while we respect our opponents, our primary focus is on ourselves—delivering our best cricket and being confident that it will be sufficient to secure a win,” Buttler remarked regarding the surprising loss to Afghanistan in 2023.
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