Cricket South Africa's decision to play in Afghanistan scrutinised

JOHANNESBURG - Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the Proteas are under the microscope for the decision to play Afghanistan in a One Day International series later this month.

The series, which will be played in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, will be the first time South Africa plays matches against the Afghan team outside of the Cricket World Cup and T20 World Cup events since 2010.

There have been concerns about Afghanistan’s continued participation in international cricket since August 2021 when the Taliban regained control of the government and scaled back women' rights in the country.

Their national women's cricket team was disbanded soon after, making Afghanistan the only full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) without a women's team.

In recent times Cricket Australia pulled out of a proposed three-match T20 series scheduled for last month on advice from the Australian government. 

And while they are open to playing the team in the future, it's unlikely that will happen under present circumstances.

Proteas white-ball coach Rob Walter admitted that he had not taken the oppressive regime into account nor South Africa's own checkered past regarding equal rights, ahead of their departure on Saturday.

"To be honest, those decisions are not for me to make. Ultimately, the head of Cricket South Africa decides around whether we do or don't play, and that’s the extent of it," Walter said.

If the tour does go ahead as planned, the Proteas will play Afghanistan in three matches all at the same venue at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE.

Proteas ODI series fixture against Afghanistan:
Wednesday, 18 September at 16:00
Afghanistan vs South Africa

Friday, 20 September at 16:00
Afghanistan vs South Africa

Sunday, 22 September at 16:00
Afghanistan vs South Africa