South Africa's Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, joined the call for the boycott of Afghanistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as British politicians call on England to follow suit. The boycott call follows the new rules implemented by the Taliban government since August 2021, strictly limiting women's rights. Afghanistan is slated to play with England and South Africa at the Champions Trophy, hosted in Pakistan. South Africa plays Afghanistan on 21st of February in Karachi, and McKenzie has written a letter to the Cricket South Africa asking not to play this game. Over 160 British politicians have also called for ECB boycotting their game on the 26th of February played against Afghanistan at Lahore. In a statement, he said: “Cricket South Africa, the federations of other countries and the ICC (International Cricket Council) will have to think carefully about the message the sport of cricket wishes to send the world, and especially the women in sports." He added: “It is not for me as the Sports Minister to make the final decision on whether South Africa should honour cricketing fixtures against Afghanistan. If it was my decision, then it certainly would not happen. “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." Also Read | Watch: Glenn Maxwell Smashes One-Handed Glorious Six Against Ben Dwarshuis in BBL 14 ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould has pleaded for a collective decision that would be carried out by all cricketing boards regarding the participation of Afghanistan. Cricket South Africa had not issued a statement on the issue. Australia has postponed the bilateral games with Afghanistan earlier. However, they played Afghanistan in the World Cup in India in 2023 and last year in the T20 World Cup. Last month, the chairman of Cricket Australia, Mike Baird said: “I am very proud of the position we’ve taken. We’ve taken a position, and we’re proudly standing up where we think we should."