SACA Stands Firm on Women’s Cricket Development as CSA Approves Afghanistan ODIs

The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) declared its support for “promoting women’s participation in cricket” while not disagreeing with the CSA’s decision to proceed with the ODI series against Afghanistan.

At Sharjah Cricket Stadium, South Africa will play three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against Afghanistan from September 18 to September 22. Despite this, the Asian country remains the only ICC Full Member without a women’s side.

“The Proteas Men white-ball series against Afghanistan later this month is one such series that forms part of the FTP. We respect the position of CSA in this regard as the national governing body for cricket,” said Andrew Breetzke, SACA CEO and also the board member of the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA).

Nonetheless, SACA must reiterate its dedication to encouraging and supporting women’s participation in cricket on behalf of all South African professional cricket players.

Breetzke stated in the statement that “the deteriorating human rights for women under the Taliban rule cannot be ignored in the context of cricket.”

Cricket The statement by Cricket Australia that it would postpone a men’s ODI series against Afghanistan due to the Taliban’s refusal to permit women to participate in cricket or any other sport was almost immediately followed by South Africa’s decision to proceed with the ODI series.
“The WCA and SACA do not support any circumstance that prevents female athletes from participating in our sport.

“The Universal Declaration of Player Rights outlines every athlete’s right to equality of opportunity, which is safeguarded by international law,” Breetzke continued.

He declared, “A player’s right to pursue sport cannot be restricted due to his or her gender.”

There have only been two One-Day Internationals (ODIs) between the Proteas and the Afghans between the 2019 and 2023 World Cups. This is the first bilateral series between South Africa and Afghanistan.

The SACA stated, “We implore CSA to use the leverage this series affords it to underscore the necessity of protecting and upholding these rights for Afghanistan’s women’s players.”

The Proteas men’s and women’s national teams, as well as various provincial teams, are represented by the SACA, the players’ union, which has over 310 members.

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