Cricket South Africa (CSA) have issued an official statement following a call from Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie to boycott their match against Afghanistan in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The minister’s advocacy comes in response to the ongoing suppression of women’s rights by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, a controversial issue that has stirred debate within the cricket community globally.

South Africa sports minister’s stance on Afghanistan

Minister McKenzie expressed strong moral reservations about playing against Afghanistan drawing parallel to South Africa’s history of apartheid, explaining his stance against discrimination in sports. He stressed the hypocrisy of ignoring the plight of Afghan women while condemning similar injustices faced by South Africans during apartheid.

“As a man who comes from a race that was not allowed equal access to sporting opportunities during apartheid, it would be hypocritical and immoral to look the other way today when the same is being done towards women anywhere in the world,” said McKenzie as quoted by TOI.

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CSA responds to minister’s call for Afghanistan boycott

In response, CSA has made clear that while they acknowledge the abhorrent treatment of women in Afghanistan, the decision regarding participation in the Champions Trophy lies with the International Cricket Council (ICC).

“CSA found ‘the treatment and suppression of women’s rights in Afghanistan abhorrent and firmly believes that women’s cricket deserves equal recognition and resources. As the Champions Trophy is an ICC event, the position on Afghanistan must be guided by the world body in accordance with international tournament participation requirements and regulations,” stated CSA.

Notably, the debate over boycotting Afghanistan in international cricket isn’t new. Earlier, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had faced similar calls from UK politicians, with over 160 signing a letter to urge England to boycott their match in support of women’s rights in Afghanistan. However, the ECB chose not to boycott, advocating instead for a coordinated ICC-wide approach to address the issue more effectively.

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