‘Deeply saddened’: ICC, BCCI react as Afghan cricketers killed in strike

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have condemned the deaths of three Afghan cricketers reportedly killed in a cross-border strike in Afghanistan’s Paktika province — a tragedy that has led the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to withdraw from next month’s T20I tri-series in Pakistan.

“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 three young men had returned home after participating in a friendly cricket match when they were killed in an attack that also claimed the lives of several civilians. 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 BCCI echoed the ICC’s stance, saying: “The BCCI stands in solidarity with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), the cricket fraternity, and the families of the departed players during this moment of profound grief and condemns this ghastly and unwarranted attack. The loss of innocent lives, particularly those of promising sportspersons, is deeply distressing and a matter of great concern. The BCCI conveys its heartfelt sympathies to the people of Afghanistan and shares in their pain and loss.”

The ACB, which announced its withdrawal earlier this week, said the decision was made “as a gesture of respect to the victims” following what it described as a “tragic” attack in the Urgun district. In its initial statement, the board said that “several lives had been lost in the attack, including three local cricketers who had been returning home after playing a friendly match in Sharana, the capital of Paktika province.” The ACB called it “a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family.”

Pakistan’s government, however, strongly rejected the claim that the players had been killed in an “airstrike.” In the country’s first official response, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar posted on X: “Pakistan, a prime victim of cross-border terrorism, rejects the ICC’s selective, biased and premature comment that advances a disputed allegation, as established, that three ‘Afghan cricketers’ died in an ‘airstrike’. The ICC has cited no independent verification to substantiate these claims. Pakistan strongly rejects the characterization and contests the ICC’s claim and call for immediate correction.”

In a follow-up statement, the ACB expressed “sincere gratitude” to the ICC for its support, while reiterating its own stance: “The ACB has consistently upheld the principle of keeping sports separate from politics and has maintained this stance within the framework of the ICC. The Afghanistan Cricket Board once again strongly condemns this act of violence. While deeply appreciating the ICC’s expression of solidarity, the ACB urges the implementation of firm and decisive measures against those responsible for this inhumane attack.”

The T20I tri-series, featuring Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka, was scheduled to take place from November 17 to 29 in Rawalpindi and Lahore. Zimbabwe is now set to replace Afghanistan.

The series would have been the second multi-team engagement between Pakistan and Afghanistan this year, following their August-September tri-series ahead of the Asia Cup. However, it was also to mark Afghanistan’s first participation in a Pakistan-hosted event amid steadily worsening diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Published on Oct 19, 2025