T20 Cricket WCup South Africa Afghanistan Photo: AP/Ricardo Mazalan T20 Cricket WCup South Africa Afghanistan Photo: AP/Ricardo Mazalan

South Africa’s sports minister Gayton McKenzie has showcased his support for calls to boycott the Champions Trophy 2025 fixture against Afghanistan, scheduled on February 21ezjili, because of the Taliban's government ban on women’s sport. (More Cricket News)

The Proteas are scheduled to kick-off their Champions Trophy campaign at the National Stadium in Karachi, but McKenzie urged CSA (Cricket South Africa) to reconsider and send a strong message in support of women’s rights. 

McKenzie’s comment aligns with those of the British government that asked England to not play against Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy, scheduled to take place in Pakistan and UAE, next month. 

England and South Africa are in the same group with Afghanistan for the ICC one-day tournament and are under pressure to boycott their games. 

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"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 was quoted as saying by the Guardian.

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“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, he added.

What Did Cricket South Africa Say?

Cricket South Africa, however, stated that they would take ICC’s lead and expected an united decision from its members. 

"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.

Will Australia Play Afghanistan?

Australia are another side that is set to play Afghanistan on February 28, scheduled to be held at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore. 

For the unversed, Cricket Australia (CA) had earlier postponed a bilateral T20I series against Afghanistan in March 2024, stating the concerns over the human rights situation under the Taliban rule. 

However, they did play them in the 2023 ODI World Cup and 2024 T20 World Cup. 

"My target is till Los Angeles but it all depends upon my fitness. If I can maintain my fitness and game, I will surely be there in LA," the ace mid-fielder told PTI in an exclusive interview.

Patnaik, whose earlier government had been a key promoter of Indian hockey and been sponsoring the national men's and women's teams since 2018, hoped for a top podium finish in the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

What happens if a team boycotts a certain game?

The tournament allows a team to play or not take part in a certain game, but it comes with a cost of awarding full points to the opponents. 

Can the ICC take action against the ACB?

Yesezjili, the ICC can suspend any cricket board if the country is in political turmoil or if the board is not aligning with the ICC code or conduct and norms.