The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) has revealed a statement supporting the participation of women in cricket as the Proteas men’s team is gearing up for the three-match ODI series Afghanistan vs South Africa in the UAE.
Afghanistan is the only ICC member not have a women’s team as significant restrictions imposed on women in the country under the Taliban government.
This will be the first bilateral series between the countries and they are set to face a third time in the format after meeting them at the 2019 and 2023 World Cups.
These fixtures are not part of the 2023-27 FTP and have been added to the calendar as CSA seeks more opportunities for their team.
SACA said that they respect the position of CSA in this regard as the national governing body for cricket.
“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.
“Every athlete has the right to equality of opportunity which is protected by international law and set out in the Universal Declaration of Player Rights.”
“That means each player has the right to equality of opportunity in the pursuit of sport, free of discrimination, harassment and violence. A player’s right to pursue sport cannot be limited because of his or her gender.”
“We urge CSA to utilize the leverage available to it through this series to highlight that these rights for Afghanistan’s women’s players must be protected and respected.”
The ICC continues to include Afghanistan as a full member in its international calendar, though some countries have refused to play against them bilaterally.
South Africa’s white ball coach Rob Walter was asked whether there was any consideration not to play against Afghanistan given the current regime.
“To be honest, those decisions are not for me to make. Ultimately, the heads of CSA decide whether we do or don’t play and so that’s the extent of it,” he said.
South Africa will play Afghanistan in three ODIs in Sharjah Cricket Stadium from next Wednesday before facing Ireland in two T20Is and three ODIs in Abu Dhabi.
