KABUL - The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is urging the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take decisive action against Pakistan following an air strike that resulted in the death of three Afghan cricketers. The ACB has strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a "cowardly act" carried out by the "Pakistani regime".
The incident occurred in the Urgun district of Paktika province, where the cricketers, Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, were gathered after participating in a local tournament in Sharana. According to reports, the air strike targeted a residential area, resulting in civilian casualties, including the three athletes and five other individuals. Seven others were also reported injured.
In response to the tragedy, the ACB has withdrawn from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series scheduled to be held in Pakistan in late November. The series was also set to include Sri Lanka. The ACB stated that this decision was made as a gesture of respect for the victims and as a condemnation of the attack.
"The Afghanistan Cricket Board expresses its deepest sorrow and grief over the tragic martyrdom of the brave cricketers from Urgun District in Paktika province, who were targeted this evening in a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime," the ACB said in a statement. "The ACB considers this a great loss for Afghanistan's sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family".
The ICC has responded to the incident, expressing deep sadness and condemnation. "The International Cricket Council (ICC) is deeply saddened and appalled by the tragic deaths of three young and promising Afghan cricketers, Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, who lost their lives in a recent airstrike in Afghanistan's Paktika province," the ICC stated. "The ICC strongly condemns this act of violence that has robbed families, communities, and the cricketing world of three bright talents whose only ambition was to play the sport they loved". The ICC also stated that it stands in solidarity with the ACB and echoes their grief.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also expressed its condolences and condemned the attack. "The Board of Control for Cricket in India expresses its deep sorrow and condolences on the tragic loss of three young Afghan cricketers, Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, who lost their lives in the cowardly cross-border airstrikes in Paktika province," the BCCI said in a statement.
Pakistan's Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, rejected reports of civilian casualties, claiming the strikes targeted militants. He described the ICC's statement as "selective, biased, and premature," arguing that it promoted a contested allegation without independent verification. Tarar stated that Pakistan itself is a victim of cross-border terrorism and rejects the ICC's characterization.
The air strikes are part of a series of recent Pakistani operations inside Afghanistan, which have increased tensions between the two countries. Diplomatic efforts are reportedly underway in Doha, Qatar, to address these tensions.
The ACB is now calling on the ICC to take "decisive measures" in response to the incident. What specific measures the ACB is requesting remains unclear. However, the call underscores the deep anger and grief within the Afghan cricketing community and the demand for accountability following the deaths of the three cricketers.
The withdrawal of Afghanistan from the tri-series has created uncertainty about the tournament's future. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has stated that the tri-series will proceed as scheduled and that they are looking for a replacement team. Zimbabwe is reportedly set to replace Afghanistan in the series.
