In advance of the South African men's team’s three One Day Internationals (ODIs) against Afghanistan in the UAE, the South African Cricketers' Association (SACA www.saca.com.au) has issued a statement emphasising the importance of promoting women's participation in cricket. This comes amid growing concerns regarding the worsening human rights situation for women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
Afghanistan remains the only ICC Full Member without a women's cricket team, with strict restrictions impacting women's rights and opportunities in the country. This series marks the first bilateral match between South Africa and Afghanistan and represents the third instance in which South Africa has faced Afghanistan in ODI cricket, following encounters at the 2019 and 2023 World Cups. These matches, newly added to the calendar by Cricket South Africa (CSA) to provide more competitive opportunities for its teams, do not fall within the 2023-2027 Future Tours Programme (FTP). SACA has expressed its respect for CSA's decision-making in this context.
However, SACA advocates for the urgent need to address the "deteriorating human rights situation for women under Taliban rule." Their statement reinforces a commitment to advancing women's cricket on a global scale. "The World Cricketers' Association and SACA do not support any conditions that prevent women from pursuing their right to compete in our sport," stated Andrew Breetzke, SACA's CEO and WCA board member. He emphasised that every athlete deserves equal opportunities, a right upheld by international law and enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Player Rights, which protects individuals from discrimination based on gender.
SACA urges CSA to leverage its position during this series to advocate for the protection and respect of women's rights in Afghanistan. Although CSA hasn't publicly commented on SACA's statement, it remains involved in discussions regarding the situation in Afghanistan. CSA’s outgoing chair, Lawson Naidoo, participated in the ICC's Afghanistan working group.
The ICC is exploring potential solutions for establishing a women's team in Afghanistan, including options for a refugee team based in Australia. Nonetheless, due to the Taliban's stance on women, the Afghanistan Cricket Board cannot recognize a women's team. Some concerns pressuring the Taliban on this issue could endanger lives.
While the ICC continues to recognise Afghanistan as a Full Member, some nations have declined to play against them in bilateral series. Australia has postponed two series in two years after consulting with their government, but still competes against Afghanistan in ICC tournaments. The South African team will play their upcoming matches against Afghanistan, beginning next Wednesday in Sharjah, before moving on to face Ireland in two T20Is and three ODIs in Abu Dhabi.