Cricket

South Africa's Test and ODI captain, Temba Bavuma, has joined the South African Cricketers' Association (SACA) in condemning the gender-based discrimination that prevents women in Afghanistan from participating in sports and other aspects of public life.Bavuma, who spoke ahead of South Africa's departure to the UAE for a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, emphasized the unique perspective that South Africans have on human rights abuses, given their own history of legalized race-based segregation. He reiterated the call for women's rights to be respected."I support the idea of inclusivity and caring for women," Bavuma said. "We want everyone to have a fair chance within society, and we know that that is something that is relevant to us as a country in South Africa."SACA had previously issued a statement acknowledging Cricket South Africa's (CSA) right to schedule fixtures against Afghanistan but also urging CSA to use its leverage to advocate for the protection and respect of women's rights in Afghanistan.CSA has not yet commented on whether it plans to make any statements or gestures in support of Afghan women but continues to discuss the issue of women's cricket in Afghanistan through the ICC.Both white-ball coach Rob Walter and Bavuma have left the decision of whether to engage Afghanistan on the field with CSA."I think I've got to respect the fact that there are people in positions who have that responsibility to speak more eloquently and articulate a little bit more of it," Bavuma said.Australia is the only board that has actively withdrawn from competition against Afghanistan, while the ECB has also indicated it will not schedule series against them. Both Australia and England continue to play Afghanistan at ICC tournaments.South Africa has never played against Afghanistan outside of a World Cup in either ODIs or T20Is. This bilateral series marks the first time the South African team and CSA have had to consider the ethical implications of playing against Afghanistan, which has not had a women's team since becoming Full Members in 2017.Apart from its shared history of legalized discrimination, South Africa also faces an epidemic of gender-based violence (GBV). The country has been ranked as one of the most dangerous for women globally. In response, there have been various initiatives against GBV, including in cricket.

The South African Cricketers' Association (SACA) has expressed its support for promoting women's cricket while acknowledging the upcoming ODI series between South Africa and Afghanistan in the UAE. Afghanistan remains the only ICC Full Member without a women's team due to severe restrictions imposed on women under the Taliban government.This bilateral series marks the first between the two nations and only the third time South Africa will play 50-over cricket against Afghanistan after facing them at the 2019 and 2023 World Cups. These fixtures are not part of the 2023-2027 Future Tours Programme (FTP) but have been added to provide more competitive opportunities for South Africa's teams.SACA welcomed these additions but expressed concern over the "deteriorating human rights for women under the Taliban rule." The association reiterated its support for promoting women's cricket globally."World Cricketers' Association and SACA do not condone any situation in which women's players are excluded from competing in our sport," said Andrew Breetzke, SACA CEO and WCA board member. "Every athlete has the right to equality of opportunity, protected by international law and the Universal Declaration of Player Rights."SACA urged CSA to use its leverage during the series to highlight the importance of protecting and respecting the rights of Afghanistan's women's players.CSA is expected to remain silent on the statement but has participated in discussions regarding Afghanistan's situation as an ICC Member. The ICC continues to explore solutions, including the possibility of a refugee team based in Australia.The ICC is hesitant to ban Afghanistan's men's team, as it did with South Africa in 1970 due to racial Apartheid. The ACB cannot recognize a women's team due to the Taliban's stance on women. Concerns exist that forcing the issue could endanger lives.Despite Afghanistan's Full Member status, some countries have refused to play against them bilaterally. Australia has postponed two series against Afghanistan due to government concerns. South Africa has only faced Afghanistan in major events, including the recent T20 World Cup semi-final.South Africa's white-ball coach, Rob Walter, declined to comment on whether the team considered not playing against Afghanistan, deferring to Cricket South Africa.South Africa will play three ODIs against Afghanistan in Sharjah from next Wednesday, followed by two T20Is and three ODIs against Ireland in Abu Dhabi.

Cricket Australia (CA) remains steadfast in its decision to withhold bilateral cricket matches with Afghanistan due to the Taliban government's stance on women's rights. CA CEO Nick Hockley emphasized that ongoing discussions with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) have not yielded sufficient progress.Despite withdrawing from three bilateral series with Afghanistan, Australia has continued to face the team at ICC events. Following Afghanistan's historic victory over Australia in the T20 World Cup, Usman Khawaja and Rashid Khan expressed contrasting views on CA's stance.Hockley acknowledged Afghanistan's impressive performance in the tournament but reiterated CA's commitment to human rights. He stated that the decision to postpone bilateral matches was made after extensive consultations with stakeholders, including the Australian government.CA maintains regular dialogue with the ACB and hopes to resume bilateral cricket in the future. However, the organization emphasizes the need for progress on women's rights.Meanwhile, 17 Afghanistan women players have appealed to the ICC for assistance in establishing a refugee team based in Australia. Hockley acknowledged the request and indicated that it would be discussed at upcoming ICC meetings.Hockley also confirmed that Australia is eager to host Bangladesh's men's team in the next FTP cycle. Bangladesh last played Tests in Australia in 2003 and a bilateral ODI series in 2008.

Australia's Test stalwart Usman Khawaja has expressed his disappointment over Afghanistan's inability to play in Australia, despite Afghanistan's historic 2024 T20 World Cup victory over his team.Earlier this year, Cricket Australia (CA) canceled a bilateral series against Afghanistan due to the country's "marked deterioration" in the treatment of women and children under the Taliban regime. The decision left the Afghanistan cricketers perplexed, but Khawaja hailed them as an inspiration.In response to a tweet by Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan celebrating their 21-run win over Australia, Khawaja tweeted: "Well done Brother. Better team on the day. You boys are an inspiration for so many back home and abroad. So sad we can't see you all play in Australia."CA had canceled a planned bilateral series against Afghanistan in 2023 and 2024 due to the Taliban's restrictions on women's education and access to public spaces.In the 2024 T20 World Cup, Afghanistan needed a win to stay alive and posted a total of 148. Australia's opening pair failed to deliver, and despite Glenn Maxwell's efforts, Afghanistan's Gulbadin Naib emerged as the hero with four wickets.Afghanistan bundled out Australia for 127, securing their first T20 World Cup victory over the Aussies. If Afghanistan defeats Bangladesh in their final Super 8 clash and Australia loses to India, Afghanistan will advance to the semifinals.Khawaja's comments highlight the complex relationship between sports and politics. While CA's decision was based on human rights concerns, it has deprived Australian fans of the opportunity to witness the rise of Afghanistan's talented cricket team.

Afghanistan's T20I captain, Rashid Khan, has expressed his disappointment over Cricket Australia's decision to not play Afghanistan bilaterally due to human rights concerns. While acknowledging that sports should bring people together, Rashid emphasized that cricket is not the solution to political issues."We are sportsmen, and we love sports," Rashid said. "Cricket is the only source of happiness back home. If we keep that source away from us, I don't know where Afghanistan will remain."Rashid stressed that Afghanistan's cricketers are eager to play against any side, but they have no control over political decisions. "Some things are not under the control of anyone in cricket," he said. "Wish we could do something, and wish that was a kind of solution for it, we would have been happy."Rashid's comments come after Cricket Australia postponed a scheduled three-match T20I series with Afghanistan earlier this year. The decision was made due to "a marked deterioration in human rights for women and girls" in Afghanistan.Rashid had initially threatened to withdraw from the Big Bash League in 2023 in protest, but he later softened his stance and put his name up in the drafts. However, he was forced to miss the tournament through injury.Despite the disappointment, Rashid reiterated that Afghanistan's cricketers are grateful for the support they have received from fans around the world. "I have received so much love from everyone," he said. "Whenever I go to Australia for Big Bash, I think I have got so much love and support from the fans there."Rashid emphasized that cricket should not be used as a political tool. "Cricket is not the solution for politics," he said. "If there is another solution, you can take that. But don't think cricket is the solution of politics and things like that."

Afghanistan's star all-rounder Rashid Khan has expressed his disappointment over Cricket Australia's (CA) decision to indefinitely postpone their three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, which was scheduled for August at a neutral venue. CA cited concerns over the "marked deterioration in human rights for women and girls" in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan as the reason for their withdrawal.Rashid, who is currently playing for Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL), said he was "really hurt" by CA's decision. "It does hurt you. You do want to play against the best teams and that's where your cricket is going to improve more and more. You only get the opportunity playing against them [Australia] in the World Cups, but not in bilateral series," Rashid told ESPNcricinfo.Rashid believes that the series would have been a valuable learning experience for Afghanistan, as playing against top-ranked teams like Australia is crucial for the growth of the sport in the country. "Recently, we played three T20s against India, and it helped us a lot. We nearly chased 200 [212] against India. Imagine if you wouldn't have played that, where would the confidence come from? Playing against big teams is huge for us," he added.Rashid also questioned CA's decision to exclude him from the BBL, while allowing other Afghan players to participate. "You don't want to play with my colleagues and you want to play with me. So what's the difference? It means I'm putting my colleagues down as well. My country down as well," he said.This is the third time CA has chosen not to honor a bilateral engagement with Afghanistan. In 2021, the first Test match between Australia and Afghanistan was postponed, and last year, an ODI series was called off.