McKenzie is urging his country’s cricket governing body not to honor the Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan on February 21.
South African Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has thrown his support behind calls to boycott Afghanistan during the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, adding his voice to those of British politicians who have called on England not to face the South Asian nation at the tournament next month. .
“South African cricket, other country federations and the ICC (International Cricket Council) will need to think carefully about what message the sport of cricket wants to send to the world, and in particular to women in sport,” he said. he declared in a press release. THURSDAY.
“It is not for me, as Minister of Sports, to make the final decision on whether South Africa should honor the cricket matches against Afghanistan. If it was my decision, it definitely wouldn’t happen.
England and South Africa share the same group with Afghanistan in the one-day international (ODI) and are under pressure to boycott the fixtures in response to the Taliban government’s crackdown on women’s rights since his return to power in August 2021.
South Africa are set to open their Champions Trophy schedule against Afghanistan in Karachi on February 21, but McKenzie has urged his country’s cricket governing body not to honor the fixture.
“As a man from a race that did not enjoy equal access to sporting opportunities during apartheid, it would be hypocritical and immoral to look the other way today when the same is done to women all over the world,” he added.
More than 160 British politicians have signed a cross-party letter to the England and Wales Cricket Board, calling for a boycott of England’s match against Afghanistan in Lahore on February 26.
ECB chief executive Richard Gould responded by calling for a uniform approach from all member countries regarding Afghanistan’s participation in international cricket.
Australia is the other team that will face Afghanistan, in Lahore on February 28.
Cricket Australia indefinitely postponed a men’s bilateral Twenty 20 series against Afghanistan last March, citing “the deterioration of the human rights of women and girls in the country under Taliban rule”, but they played them at the World Cup in India at the end of 2023 and at the T20 World Cup. last June.
Cricket Australia president Mike Baird said last month he was “very proud of the position we took” after they were accused of hypocrisy.
“We have taken a stand and we stand proudly where we believe we should,” he said.
