The ECB has refused to schedule bilateral cricket with Afghanistan in 2021 after the Taliban return to power in the country.
Last year, ECB President Richard Thompson called the Taliban’s crackdown on women and girls “gender apartheid.”
However, England continued to play against Afghanistan in global events, including World Cups and the Champions Trophy in the limited-overs format.
“I disagree with the treatment of women in Afghanistan,” Key said. “It’s not something I agree with happening there, so it’s not something I’m going to do.”
Despite not playing international cricket since the third Ashes Test in Australia last December, Pope has signed a new 12-month contract with England.
He was called up to the Test squad for the summer series against Pakistan at home and captained him six times, including against India at The Oval in 2025.
When asked if she had opened up about her feelings to the pope, Key replied: “I’ve had that conversation and Ollie will have to make up his mind.”
Ahead of England’s final meeting with Afghanistan in the 2025 Champions Cup, Labor MP Tonia Antoniazzi led calls for a boycott of the match.
In September, she told BBC Sport: “Why are we here again? Women and girls in Afghanistan are denied the rights in our country and the women’s team lives in exile.”
“Doesn’t that apply to players, especially those who have daughters, sisters or mothers?
“I hope the International Cricket Council (ICC) will refuse to sanction this measure. To continue to allow Afghanistan full membership makes a mockery of its own membership criteria.”
Former England striker Dawid Malan was included in the EPL draft alongside the likes of Moeen Ali, James Vince and James Rew – Somerset’s Rew made his Test debut in June.
“As players, we get our guidance from the ICC and the boards,” Malan told the TMS podcast.
“It’s difficult as a player because you have what’s morally right and what’s legal. I’ve got a daughter and I want her to play sport, do sport and enjoy it. I totally understand the argument, but at the end of the day I’m a cricketer and I’ve got to pay my rent and make as much money as I can.
“England don’t play bilateral series against Afghanistan, but they do in World Cups – what’s the difference? As players, sometimes you want a decision from the board that says ‘we don’t think it’s right, we’re taking a stand against it’, and then the players will go along with it.
“I don’t think anyone agrees with what happened in Afghanistan, but once something is confirmed, you sit there as a player and say, ‘This is a job and I have to play and I have to do what I have to do,’ then you’re stuck with what’s morally right and what’s not.”
On Friday, former England all-rounder Moeen’s agent Dean Ahmed wrote in X: “Ethic is important in sport, but so is consistency.
“The Taliban’s attitude towards women is indefensible. So why are cricketers singled out when governments and corporations continue to engage with states accused of serious human rights abuses? Selective outrage is not moral.”