South Africa’s sports minister, Gayton McKenzie, has privately called on the Proteas to reconsider their 2025 ICC Champions Trophy group-stage clash against Afghanistan. His plea stems from Afghanistan’s Taliban government banning women’s sports and disbanding the women’s cricket team since its return to power in 2021.
The match, scheduled for February 21 at Karachi’s National Stadium, is part of Group B, which also includes cricket heavyweights England and Australia.
McKenzie’s Stand for Equality in Sport
In a strongly articulated statement posted on his social media account, McKenzie emphasized the significance of equality in sports and criticized the ICC’s apparent tolerance of Afghanistan’s policies.
“To be clear, the ICC has accepted the principle of equality in sport, and that member nations should be developing both male and female players. This doesn’t happen in the case of Afghanistan, suggesting that political interference in the administration of sport is being permitted there,” McKenzie stated.
He compared the situation to the ICC’s suspension of Sri Lanka in 2023 due to political interference, questioning the inconsistency in handling Afghanistan’s case.
McKenzie also drew a personal parallel to South Africa’s history, citing how racial inequality during apartheid denied many, including himself, access to equal sporting opportunities. He emphasized, “Turning a blind eye in such moments, especially when similar actions are directed at women anywhere in the world, would be both hypocritical and immoral.”
Call for Global Solidarity
McKenzie urged not only Cricket South Africa (CSA) but also other cricketing nations and the ICC to take a firm stand.
He remarked, “Cricket South Africa, along with other national boards and the ICC, must thoughtfully evaluate the message cricket aims to send globally, especially to women in sports.”
He concluded by appealing to players, sponsors, and administrators to show solidarity with Afghan women and take meaningful action.
Global Criticism of Afghanistan’s Cricket Policies
McKenzie’s reflections echo growing global criticism of Afghanistan’s stance on women’s sports. Earlier, nearly 160 UK MPs, led by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, called on the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to reconsider their Champions Trophy fixture against Afghanistan on February 26 in Lahore.
While UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged the ICC to enforce its rules, which mandate full members to maintain both men’s and women’s teams, ECB Chair Richard Gould rejected calls for a boycott.
ICC’s Inconsistent Enforcement
The ICC’s stance on Afghanistan’s membership remains controversial. Its rules stipulate that full members must maintain both men’s and women’s teams in international cricket. However, Afghanistan has faced no suspension despite its women’s team being disbanded.
Critics, including McKenzie, argue that the ICC’s failure to act undermines its principles of equality and inclusion.
What’s Next for South Africa?
While the final decision on whether South Africa will play against Afghanistan lies with Cricket South Africa, McKenzie’s statement adds significant moral pressure. It also places the ICC in the spotlight, forcing it to address allegations of double standards.
As the Champions Trophy approaches, the global cricket community will closely watch how South Africa, England, and other nations handle fixtures against Afghanistan. The decisions they make could set a precedent for how sports organizations respond to human rights concerns on the international stage.
For now, McKenzie’s call to action is a stark reminder that cricket, like all sports, does not exist in a vacuum—it reflects the values and struggles of the societies it represents.
