In the lead-up to the South African men's cricket team's trio of One Day Internationals (ODIs) against Afghanistan in the UAE, the South African Cricketers' Association (SACA www.saca.com.au) has released a statement stressing the critical importance of fostering women's involvement in cricket. This initiative comes in light of increasing worries about the deteriorating human rights conditions for women in Afghanistan under Taliban governance.
As it stands, Afghanistan is the sole ICC Full Member without a women's cricket team due to stringent restrictions that severely limit women's rights and opportunities within the nation. This series will be historic as it marks the first bilateral matchup between South Africa and Afghanistan and represents their third encounter in ODI cricket, following matches during the 2019 and 2023 World Cups. These newly scheduled games were introduced by Cricket South Africa (CSA) to enhance competitive opportunities for its teams, yet they do not fall under the 2023-2027 Future Tours Programme (FTP). SACA has acknowledged and respected CSA's decisions in this regard.
Nonetheless, SACA has voiced its urgent concern regarding the "worsening human rights situation for women under Taliban rule." Their statement underlines a commitment to advancing women's cricket globally. “The World Cricketers' Association and SACA do not endorse any conditions that inhibit women's right to participate in our sport,” stated Andrew Breetzke, CEO of SACA and WCA board member. He highlighted that every athlete is entitled to equal opportunities, a principle upheld by international law and enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Player Rights which ensures protection against gender discrimination.
SACA is urging CSA to use this series as a platform to advocate for the protection and recognition of women's rights in Afghanistan. While CSA has not publicly responded to SACA's statement, it is actively engaged in conversations about the situation in Afghanistan. CSA’s outgoing chair, Lawson Naidoo, has been part of the ICC's Afghanistan working group.
The ICC is exploring possible pathways to form a women's team in Afghanistan, including the establishment of a refugee team based in Australia. However, due to the Taliban's policies regarding women, the Afghanistan Cricket Board cannot officially recognize a women's team. Some apprehensions exerting pressure on the Taliban for reform could jeopardise lives.
Despite the ICC maintaining Afghanistan's status as a Full Member, some countries have chosen to refrain from competing against them in bilateral series. Australia, for instance, postponed two series over two years after consulting with their government, yet they still participate against Afghanistan in ICC tournaments. The South African team is set to commence their matches against Afghanistan next Wednesday in Sharjah, followed by two T20Is and three ODIs against Ireland in Abu Dhabi.