Islamabad, Jan 10: South Africa’s Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, has called for a boycott of Afghanistan’s participation in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, drawing parallels between the Taliban’s treatment of women and the apartheid regime in South Africa. McKenzie emphasized that, were it his decision, South Africa would not play against Afghanistan, highlighting the moral imperative to oppose gender-based oppression.
This stance aligns with that of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which has also expressed concerns over Afghanistan’s participation due to the Taliban’s policies restricting women’s rights.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has responded by stating that it will not penalize the Afghanistan Cricket Board or its players for adhering to their government’s laws. As the tournament approaches, the debate continues, with various stakeholders advocating for actions ranging from boycotts to diplomatic pressure to address the situation.
