Pope pulls out of the Afghanistan Premier League draft, set to take place in the UAE later this year.
He was the only centrally contracted England player initially signed up, but teammates Dawid Malan, Moeen Ali, James Vince and James Rew have also entered the league. Players need a No‑Objection Certificate from the England and Wales Cricket Board to go overseas.
The decision came after intense talk about the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan. England’s director of cricket Rob Key said on a podcast, “It becomes a moral judgement and players have to be ready to take the right moral stance.” He added, “I would not go, but it’s up to the player.”
Malan echoed the dilemma, warning that “players face a difficult choice between personal beliefs and earning a living.” The ECB has refused bilateral series against Afghanistan since 2021, yet England still faces the country in global tournaments.
The APL’s financial viability is now in question as Pope’s exit casts doubt on the appeal for English stars. The league will kick off in September, but with Pope out, England’s representation may be limited.
Next up: the APL’s opening matches in September, where teams will scramble for star talent amid the controversy.