The match between South Africa Cricket Team and Afghanistan National Cricket Team in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has come under extensive scanner. According to reports in Cricbuzz, it is learned that the South African Sports Minister has raised his voice for the team to boycott the match against the Asian team.
South Africa’s sports minister wants to take a firm stand in solidarity with women in Afghanistan. All this comes after the Taliban government banned women from playing sports in most areas of public life. This caused a huge controversy that erupted around the world.
If it was my decision, then it certainly wouldn’t have happened – South Africa’s sports minister on playing Afghanistan in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Gayton McKenzie, South Africa’s sports minister, said that while he knows the ICC doesn’t allow political interference, if it were his way they wouldn’t be playing Afghanistan. He expressed his sympathy for the Women in the Asian country and said:
“A position I feel morally bound to support, despite the deep complications of Afghanistan’s recent and tragic history. I am aware that the ICC, like most international sporting parent bodies, declares that it does not tolerate political interference in the governance of sport, despite the apparent inconsistency with Afghanistan.
“It is not for me as the sports minister to make the final decision on whether South Africa should honor the cricket matches against Afghanistan. If it was my decision then it certainly would not have happened. As a man who comes from a race that was not afforded equal access 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.” He said in a statement.
As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is an ICC event, the position on Afghanistan must be taken by the world body – Cricket South Africa
After all the calls for South Africa to stop playing Afghanistan, the CSA issued an official statement, saying they believe women’s cricket deserves equal recognition. But ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is a global event, ICC will take a call on it. The statement read:
“The treatment and suppression of women’s rights in Afghanistan is abhorrent and strongly believes that women’s cricket deserves equal recognition and resources, an area where CSA’s record on women’s cricket in South Africa speaks for itself.
“Since the Champions Trophy is an ICC event, the position on Afghanistan must be guided by the world body in accordance with the requirements and regulations for participation in international tournaments.”
CSA is committed to and will continue to engage in constructive dialogue with the ICC and other members to find a solution – President Rihan Richards
CSA president Rihan Richards said talks with the ICC have been inconsistent and other board members will continue to engage in constructive dialogue and continue to seek a solution. he said:
“We believe that a more unified and collective approach from all ICC members will be more effective. The CSA is committed and will continue to engage in constructive dialogue with the ICC and other members to find a solution that supports women’s cricket in Afghanistan and effects meaningful change in that country.”
The South African cricket team recently played an ODI series against the Afghanistan national cricket team and faced a lot of criticism. The two teams are now scheduled to participate in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on February 21.
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