Minister of Sports Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has called on CSA to boycott next month’s ICC Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan.
McKenzie’s call is based on the Taliban government’s decision in 2021 to ban women’s sports and dissolve Afghanistan’s female cricket team after taking power.
Both England and South Africa, who are in Afghanistan’s group for the One Day International competition, are under pressure to boycott their fixtures in response to the Taliban’s ongoing crackdown on women’s rights since August 2021.
South Africa is set to face Afghanistan in their Champions Trophy opener in Karachi on February 21, howeverMcKenzie has urged CSA not to honour the fixture.
In a statement, McKenzie said, “To be clear, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has accepted the principle of equality in sport, stating that member nations should be developing both male and female players.”
“This is not the case in Afghanistan, which suggests political interference in the administration of sport is being tolerated there. In contrast, Sri Lanka was banned in 2023 for similar political interference.”
McKenzie also noted that while the ICC, like most international sporting bodies, claims to oppose political interference in sport, its stance on Afghanistan remains inconsistent.
McKenzie said that CSA, along with the federations of other countries and the ICC, must carefully consider the message cricket wishes to send to the world, particularly to women in sports.
“I hope the consciences of everyone involved in cricket—supporters, players, and administrators alike—will stand firmly in solidarity with the women of Afghanistan.”
CSA’s response to McKenzie’s appeal
According to Cricket Times, CSA issued a statement acknowledging the abhorrent treatment of women in Afghanistan, but emphasised that the decision regarding participation in the Champions Trophy rests with the ICC.
Main Image: Gayton McKenzie via Twitter
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