London/IBNS: The England cricket team have the right to boycott the match against Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy 2025 in response to the Taliban government's steps to curb women's rights in the South Asian country, said UK Labour MP Toni Antoniazzi, media reports said.

Antoniazzi told BBC Sport, "The power lies in the team. The power lies in the people that play the sport. The power lies with them - it's in their hands."

"How big is England cricket? It's huge. They have a huge standing in the world of sport and they do have an influence, and I want them to realise that that influence is what they should use to make a difference."

The ECB on Tuesday met Antoniazzi who sent a cross-party letter to the governing body wanting to boycott the Afghanistan match.

Nearly 200 UK politicians who signed the letter want England to refuse to play the February 26 match against Afghanistan in Lahore.

Earlier, the Indian cricket board BCCI had refused to play against the host country Pakistan in the Champions Trophy leading to major complications.

After several deliberations, it has been decided that India will play against their hostile neighbour Pakistan at neutral venue Dubai as a part of the hybrid model on February 23.

The tournament, which is considered as a 50-over mini World Cup, will run from February 19 to March 9.