After England, South Africa Also Boycott Afghanistan Match In Champions Trophy 2025

The national men's cricket team is playing Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy on February 21, 2025, at Karachi. Gayton McKenzie, South Africa's Sports Minister, has asked for the players to boycott the match. This position is consistent with previous calls made by more than 160 British politicians to cancel England's match versus Afghanistan in Lahore on February 26.

McKenzie's Response

Since the Taliban regained control in August 2021, they have imposed harsh limitations on women's rights and prohibited women from participating in sports. McKenzie's stance is a reaction to their practices. "As a man who comes from a background that was not allowed equal opportunity in sporting opportunities during racism, it would be arrogant and illegal to look the other way today when the same is being done to women anywhere in the world," McKenzie said, drawing comparisons to the times of apartheid in South Africa.

Debate Over Boycotting Afghanistan In International Cricket

The debate over boycotting Afghanistan in international cricket mirrors historical sports boycotts, such as those against apartheid-era South Africa, which were instrumental in effecting political change. Advocates argue that a similar approach could pressure the Taliban regime to reconsider its stance on women's rights.

Community Will Be Establish Against Violations Of Human Rights

The cricket community is faced with a tough decision as the Champions Trophy gets near: respect the customary division of sports and politics or promote the values of equality and human rights. In addition to having an effect on the competition, the decisions taken in the upcoming weeks will establish a standard for how global sports handle concerns of discrimination and violations of human rights.