Cricket South Africa wants 'unified approach' to Afghanistan boycott calls
2025-01-10
Category: sports

Cricket South Africa has joined the England and Wales Cricket Board in calling for a "unified and collective approach" to action against Afghanistan following calls to boycott next month's Champions Trophy match between the nations.More than 160 UK politicians signed a letter written to the ECB, urging England to refuse to play the 50-over match in order to take a stand against the Taliban regime's assault on women's rights.The CSA said it had also received correspondence from former MP Lord Peter Hain."We are of the view that a more unified and collective approach from all ICC members will be more impactful," CSA president Rihan Richards said."CSA is committed and will continue to engage in constructive dialogue with the ICC and other members to find a solution that upholds women's cricket in Afghanistan and influence meaningful change in that country."Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and former Labour leaders Jeremy Corbyn and Lord Kinnock were among those to sign the letter written by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, external.The participation of women in sport has effectively been outlawed since the Taliban's return to power in 2021 and many of Afghanistan's female players left the country for their own safety.International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations state full membership is conditional upon having women's cricket teams and pathway structures in place.However, Afghanistan's men's team have been allowed to participate in ICC tournaments seemingly without any sanctions.The CSA said the suppression of women's rights in Afghanistan is "abhorrent" and believes 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," the CSA added.South Africa are scheduled to begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Afghanistan on 21 February in Karachi.South Africa sports minister Gayton McKenzie has also placed his support behind a boycott against facing Afghanistan."Cricket South Africa, the federations of other countries and the ICC will have to think carefully about the message the sport of cricket wishes to send the world, and especially the women in sports," McKenzie said."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."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."Pakistan and neutral venue Dubai hosts the eight-team Champions Trophy from 19 February to 9 March. Australia, South Africa, England and Afghanistan feature in Group B, while Pakistan, India, New Zealand and Bangladesh meet in Group A.