Will South Africa boycott ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash against Afghanistan?

South Africa are scheduled to face Afghanistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on February 21.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to make its much-awaited return in February after an eight-year hiatus. The tournament was last held in 2017 in England.

This year’s tournament has not been without controversies. It saw disagreements between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), International Cricket Council (ICC), and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the hybrid model of organization, which will result in India playing their games in Dubai.

Another recent controversy involves activist groups in England and South Africa asking their cricket boards to not play against Afghanistan in the competition.

Lord Peter Hain, a renowned anti-apartheid campaigner and former British government minister, asked Cricket South Africa to boycott their game against Afghanistan as a mode of protest of the Afghanistan government’s discrimination against women.

South Africa’s sports minister, Gayton McKenzie, also shared his views, calling Afghanistan’s participation in the Champions Trophy “hypocritical and immoral.”

CSA has now released a statement on this issue.

On January 10, CSA confirmed receiving correspondence from Hain.

The statement read, “Cricket South Africa (CSA) can confirm receiving correspondence from British Member of Parliament Lord Peter Hain urging South Africa to boycott its fixture against Afghanistan at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Tournament scheduled to be staged in Pakistan in February.“

The board raised concerns about the suppression of women’s rights in Afghanistan and confirmed its stance on gender equality.

CSA continued, “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, an area in which CSA’s record on women’s cricket in South Africa speaks for itself.“

Will South Africa boycott ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash against Afghanistan?

Yes, South Africa will play Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy. CSA acknowledged the oppression of women in Afghanistan under the Taliban, but asserted that the Champions Trophy is an ICC event and any stance against Afghanistan has to come from ICC as far as global events are concerned.

“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 board called for a constructive dialogue with the ICC and other members to find a solution that upholds women’s cricket in Afghanistan.

“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.”

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