South Africa sports minister calls for boycotting Afghanistan in Champions Trophy
South Africa’s sports minister, Gayton McKenzie, has expressed support for calls to boycott Afghanistan in the upcoming Champions Trophy.
Which is scheduled to take place in Pakistan next month. McKenzie’s remarks align with those of British politicians urging England not to play against Afghanistan in the tournament. Both England and South Africa are in Afghanistan’s group for the One Day International competition, which has sparked pressure to withdraw from fixtures due to the Taliban government’s ongoing crackdown on women’s rights since reclaiming power in August 2021.
South Africa is set to face Afghanistan in their opening Champions Trophy match on February 21 in Karachi. However, McKenzie has urged Cricket South Africa to reconsider honouring the fixture, emphasising the importance of sending a strong message in support of women’s rights.
“Cricket South Africa, the federations of other countries, and the ICC (International Cricket Council) will have to think carefully about the message the sport of cricket wishes to send the world, and especially the women in sports,” McKenzie stated. “It is not for me as the sports minister to make the final decision on whether South Africa should honour cricketing fixtures against Afghanistan. If it was my decision, then it certainly would not happen.”
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As a man who grew up under apartheid, McKenzie framed his stance as a personal and moral issue. “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,” he added.
In response, Cricket South Africa released a statement emphasising their position. The body stated they would follow the lead of the ICC and that a unified approach from all ICC members was necessary. “CSA finds the treatment and suppression of women’s rights in Afghanistan abhorrent and firmly believes that women’s cricket deserves equal recognition and resources,” the statement read. “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.”
Meanwhile, over 160 British politicians have signed a cross-party letter urging the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to boycott their fixture against Afghanistan in Lahore on February 26. ECB chief executive Richard Gould also emphasized the need for a collective approach from all international cricketing nations regarding Afghanistan’s participation in the competition.
Australia is another team set to play Afghanistan, with their match in Lahore scheduled for February 28. Cricket Australia had previously postponed a bilateral T20 series against Afghanistan in March 2024, citing concerns over the human rights situation under Taliban rule. However, Australia did play Afghanistan in both the 2023 World Cup and the 2023 T20 World Cup. Despite this, Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird defended the organization’s stance, stating, “We’ve taken a position, and we’re proudly standing up where we think we should.”