Champions Trophy 2025- Why South Africa will be BOYCOTTING their match against Afghanistan? Details

Due to the Taliban government deciding to disband Afghanistan women’s team, South Africa’s sports minister Gayton McKenzie has called out the Proteas to boycott their opening clash of Champions Trophy against Afghanistan.

South African sports minister Gayton McKenzie has called out the Proteas to boycott their opening clash of the Champions Trophy 2025 against Afghanistan, set to take place on February 21 in National Cricket Stadium in Karachi. The strange reason for this request is the ban on women’s sport by Taliban government, along with their decision to disband Afghanistan women’s team.

“It is not for me as the sports minister to make the final decision on whether South Africa should honor cricketing fixtures against Afghanistan. If it was my decision, then it certainly would not happen,” McKenzie said.

“As a man who comes from a race that was not allowed equal access to sporting opportunities during apartheid, it would be hypocritical and immoral to look the other way today when the same is being done towards women anywhere in the world,” he added.

Before South Africa, England politicians have already pressured their government to boycott their Champions Trophy clash against Afghanistan in Lahore on February 26, reasoning the same issues.

Scenario if South Africa and England boycott their matches against Afghanistan:
If South Africa and England decide to boycott their Champions Trophy matches against Afghanistan, the latter will be given full points. According to the rules, the tournament code gives the team complete freedom to play or not play a game, but not playing a match comes with a cost, as Afghanistan will win full points if England does not play,