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Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced that it will continue to play bilateral series against Afghanistan, despite mounting pressure to boycott the team due to the Taliban’s treatment of women in Afghanistan. This decision comes in response to calls, most notably from the activist group Lawyers for Human Rights, urging CSA to halt cricketing engagements with Afghanistan as a form of protest against the Taliban regime.
The Taliban, which took control of Afghanistan in 2021, has imposed strict rules, including banning women from playing sports and restricting their participation in public life. These policies have drawn widespread international condemnation. However, CSA has chosen not to isolate Afghanistan’s men’s cricket team, arguing that it would be unfair to punish the players and administrators for their government’s actions.
CSA’s Statement and Justification
In a statement released on Thursday, CSA affirmed its commitment to gender equity in sports, while emphasizing that punishing the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) would not effectively address the human rights concerns in Afghanistan. “CSA remains mindful that gender equity should never come at the expense of one gender over another,” the statement read. CSA believes that Afghan cricketers—both men and women—should not face “secondary persecution for the actions of the Taliban.”
CSA’s stance aligns with that of the International Cricket Council (ICC), which has also refrained from banning Afghanistan despite the country being the only Full Member without a women’s cricket team. The ICC’s reluctance is partly due to the complexity of the situation, with fears that pressuring the ACB could endanger Afghan women, especially under the repressive Taliban regime.
Criticism and Alternatives
While CSA has maintained its stance, it has faced backlash from various human rights groups. Lawyers for Human Rights stated that by playing Afghanistan, CSA was “tacitly endorsing” the Taliban’s oppressive policies. However, CSA believes that isolating Afghanistan’s cricket players would not effectively challenge the Taliban. Instead, it advocates for addressing the issue through the ICC’s formal structures and promoting dialogue on gender equity.
The cricketing board drew on its own historical experience of international sports isolation during the Apartheid era to defend its position. South Africa was banned from international sports for two decades as part of global opposition to its racial segregation policies. However, CSA noted that while the ban punished South African athletes, it did not lead to significant changes in the Apartheid government’s policies.
Cricket Australia’s Opposite Approach
In contrast, Cricket Australia has refused to play bilateral series against Afghanistan, citing human rights abuses as the reason. The Australian government has also supported this stance. CSA, however, argues that a boycott would do little to alter the political landscape in Afghanistan, and instead, a broader view must be taken, particularly given the progress the ACB had made before the Taliban’s rise to power.
Progress in Afghan Women’s Cricket
CSA’s statement also acknowledged the steps taken by Afghanistan in promoting women’s cricket before the Taliban imposed the ban. In 2020, the ACB had pledged contracts to 25 female players, and these women were due to participate in international matches before the Taliban’s takeover. Many of these players are now living in exile, and some have called on the ICC to support the creation of a refugee team for Afghan women cricketers.
CSA emphasized the importance of keeping these developments in mind when considering any action. “Any measures we consider must take into account the progress made by the Afghanistan Cricket Board in promoting women’s cricket prior to the Taliban’s ban on female participation in sports in August 2021,” the statement said.
Current Series and Preparations for the Champions Trophy
South Africa and Afghanistan are currently engaged in a three-match ODI series in the UAE. The series, which is not part of the original Future Tours Programme (FTP), was arranged by both boards as part of their preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025.
South Africa’s ODI captain, Temba Bavuma, who missed the first ODI due to illness, has publicly supported the promotion of women’s rights in Afghanistan. He echoed the sentiments of the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA), which has called on CSA to use its influence to advocate for Afghan women’s rights.
A Delicate Balancing Act
CSA’s decision reflects the complexities of addressing human rights issues through sports diplomacy. While acknowledging the plight of Afghan women, CSA remains committed to engaging with Afghanistan’s men’s team and working within the ICC framework to address gender equity in cricket. For now, the series between South Africa and Afghanistan continues, with the second and third ODIs scheduled to take place later this week.
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