Cricket South Africa (CSA) has reaffirmed its commitment to bilateral fixtures with Afghanistan, despite criticism over the Taliban’s repressive policies towards women. CSA believes that isolating the Afghan men’s team would be ineffective and unjust, as it would punish innocent players for the actions of their government.
CSA’s stance aligns with the International Cricket Council (ICC), which has expressed concern over the lack of a women’s team in Afghanistan but has not imposed a ban. The ICC recognizes the complexities of forcing the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to field a women’s team, given the potential risks to their safety.
CSA argues that gender advocacy in cricket should not come at the expense of innocent administrators and players. It points to its own history of isolation during the Apartheid era, which did not effectively promote change. Instead, economic sanctions proved more effective in breaking the regime’s resistance.
CSA also acknowledges the progress made by the ACB in promoting women’s cricket prior to the Taliban’s takeover. In 2020, the ACB pledged contracts to 25 female players and organized a training camp. However, the Taliban’s ban on female participation in sports has halted these efforts.
The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) supports CSA’s position, calling for the promotion of women’s rights while recognizing the challenges faced by the ACB. South Africa’s ODI captain, Temba Bavuma, has also expressed his support for women’s rights.
CSA’s decision to continue playing Afghanistan has drawn criticism from some quarters, including Lawyers for Human Rights, which argues that it tacitly endorses the Taliban regime. However, CSA believes that engagement and dialogue are more effective than isolation in promoting change.
