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Cricket South Africa (CSA) they have issued an official statement after a call from the Minister of Sports Gayton McKenzie to boycott their match against Afghanistan in the next one ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The minister’s defense comes in response to the ongoing suppression of women’s rights by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, a controversial issue that has sparked debate in the cricket community globally.
South African Sports Minister’s position on Afghanistan
Minister McKenzie expressed strong moral reservations about playing Afghanistan alongside South Africa’s history of apartheid, and explained his stance against discrimination in sport. She underlined the hypocrisy of ignoring the plight of Afghan women while condemning injustices similar to those 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 to women anywhere in the world.” McKenzie was quoted as saying by TOI.
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CSA responds to the minister’s call for a boycott of Afghanistan
In response, CSA has made it clear that while they recognize the abhorrent treatment of women in Afghanistan, the decision on participation in the Champions Trophy rests with the International Cricket Council (ICC).
“CSA found that ‘the treatment and suppression of women’s rights in Afghanistan is abhorrent and strongly believes that women’s cricket deserves equal recognition and resources.’ As the Champions Trophy is an event of the “ICC, the position on Afghanistan must be guided by the world body in accordance with the requirements and regulations of international tournament participation.” stated CSA.
In particular, the debate over Afghanistan’s boycott of international cricket is not new. Before, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) they had faced similar calls from UK politicians, with more than 160 signing a letter urging England to boycott their party in support of women’s rights in Afghanistan. However, the The ECB chose not to boycottadvocating instead for a coordinated approach across the ICC to address the problem more effectively.
