'Hypocritical and immoral' - South Africa's sports minister condemns Afghanistan's Champions Trophy participation

Criticism is flowing from different corners regarding Afghanistan’s participation in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. Previously, 160 British politicians had written a letter to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), urging the England team to boycott their Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan on February 26. South Africa’s Sports Minister is the new entrant to the list who has also expressed displeasure over the same. 

South Africa will take on Afghanistan on February 21 in their season opener. Gayton McKenzie has stated that snatching away of women’s rights in Afghanistan by the Taliban government, is nothing short of like the Apartheid regime which had decimated South Africa in the past. It is worth noting that, both South Africa and England are placed in Group B in the ICC event along with Afghanistan. 

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"I am aware that the ICC, like most international sporting mother bodies, professes not to tolerate political interference in the administration of sport, despite its obvious inconsistency with Afghanistan. It is not for me as the sports minister to make the final decision on whether South Africa should honour cricketing fixtures against Afghanistan,” said McKenzie as quoted by Cricbuzz. 

“If it was my decision, then it certainly would not happen. As a man who comes from a race that was not allowed equal access to sporting opportunities during Apartheid, it would be hypocritical and immoral to look the other way today when the same is being done towards women anywhere in the world,” he added.

ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 fixtures