‘The double standards are impossible to overlook’ – Anaya Bangar speaks out against ECB’s treatment of transgender cricketers

The transgender woman Anaya Bangar, the daughter of former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar, has accused the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) of hypocrisy and performative allyship towards the transgender community. She brought up the fact that the ECB had removed the pride-themed stumps from Day 4 onwards after displaying them for the first three days of the current India-England Test at Headingley.

The European Cricket Board implemented a contentious rule earlier this year that prohibited transgender women from playing cricket at any level. The board declared that the only people who may play women’s cricket were those who were assigned female at birth, citing the recent decision of the UK Supreme Court and fairness in competition. According to this regulation, trans women and girls are only permitted to play open or mixed cricket.

Anaya Bangar posted a video on Instagram criticising the ECB for its hypocrisy, even though the ECB has stated that it is collaborating with Recreational Cricket Boards to assist people impacted by this change. observing that over the first three days of the Test match, pride flags with rainbow themes were displayed on the stumps.

“The phrase “creating safe spaces for conversation” is taken from the ECB’s Rainbow Laces campaign. displaying a dedication to diversity. encouraging candid discussions and enlisting LGBTQ+ advocates

The truth is that the UK Supreme Court revoked trans women’s rights under the Equality Act on the same day that Pride flags were flown on the stumps during the second day of the India vs. England Test match. The ECB prohibited trans women from playing professional cricket in addition to elite cricket. Who exactly is this inclusivity for, then? Pride cannot be celebrated while transgender women are excluded from the sport. This isn’t inclusive. Performative allyship is what it is. Additionally, the hypocrisy is too obvious to overlook,” she posted on Instagram.

 

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The goal of Anaya Bangar is to return to playing competitive cricket.

Since starting her transition in 2021, Anaya Bangar has turned into a champion for transgender rights in athletics. She recently urged the BCCI and ICC to review their policies regarding trans athletes and expressed her desire to resume playing competitive cricket.

“I started out wanting to play again, but the more I spoke up, the more I understood how connected my journey is to the many people in Indian sport who feel invisible. Public activism and my own dream are now synonymous. Regaining the right to compete, belong, and dream with dignity will be just as important as playing when Anaya returns to the pitch, she wrote.