South Africa’s Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, has voiced support for a potential boycott of Afghanistan during the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. His remarks align with calls from British politicians urging England to avoid playing Afghanistan in response to the Taliban government’s suppression of women’s rights since its return to power in August 2021.
Both England and South Africa are in the same group as Afghanistan for the One Day International tournament. South Africa is slated to begin its campaign against Afghanistan in Karachi on February 21, but McKenzie has urged Cricket South Africa (CSA) to reconsider participating in the fixture.
“Cricket South Africa, other federations, and the ICC (International Cricket Council) must reflect on the message cricket sends to the world, especially to women in sports,” McKenzie said in a statement on Thursday.
While acknowledging that the final decision lies with CSA, McKenzie made his stance clear. “If it were my decision, South Africa would not play. As someone from a race denied equal sporting opportunities during Apartheid, it would be hypocritical and immoral to ignore similar injustices faced by women anywhere in the world,” he added.
The call for a boycott follows a letter signed by more than 160 British politicians urging the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to withdraw from its match against Afghanistan in Lahore on February 26. ECB chief executive Richard Gould has called for a unified stance among ICC member nations regarding Afghanistan’s participation in international cricket.
Australia is also scheduled to face Afghanistan in Lahore on February 28. Earlier in 2023, Cricket Australia indefinitely postponed a bilateral T20 series against Afghanistan, citing concerns over the deteriorating human rights situation for women and girls under Taliban rule.
Despite this, Australia played Afghanistan in the ODI World Cup in India in late 2023 and the T20 World Cup last June, prompting accusations of inconsistency. Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird defended their position, stating, “We’re proud of the stand we’ve taken.”
Cricket South Africa has yet to comment on the issue. The debate over Afghanistan’s inclusion in international cricket highlights the sport’s role in addressing broader social and political issues.
