Pakistan shook the cricketing fraternity with fresh airstrikes on Afghan territory.
The BCCI on Saturday (October 18) condoled the tragic loss of three Afghan cricketers in Paktika province due to a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani army.
With fresh airstrikes on Afghan territory, Pakistan didn’t only break the ceasefire but also shook the cricketing fraternity.
“The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) 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,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said in a statement issued on the board’s website.
“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 statement added.
“The BCCI conveys its heartfelt sympathies to the people of Afghanistan and shares in their pain and loss,” it further stated.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) also released separate statement to condemn the killing of Afghan cricketers in Pakistan’s recent airstrikes.
“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 ICC stands in solidarity with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and echoes their grief,” the apex body’s statement read.
Taking to X, ICC chairman Jay Shah also mourned the cowardly attack and expressed solidarity with the Afghanistan cricket fraternity.
“Deeply saddened by the loss of three young Afghan cricketers, Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, whose dreams were cut short by a senseless act of violence. The loss of such promising talent is a tragedy not just for Afghanistan but for the entire cricketing world. We stand in solidarity with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and all those mourning this heartbreaking loss,” Shah tweeted.
Hours after the tragedy, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced its decision to pull out of the upcoming tri-nation series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
“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 an official statement.
“In this heartbreaking incident, three players (Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon) alongside 5 other fellow countrymen from Urgun District were martyred, and seven others were injured. The players had earlier travelled to Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, to participate in a friendly cricket match. After returning home to Urgun, they were targeted during a gathering,” the statement added.
Afghanistan won't be travelling to Lahore for the T20I tri-series, which was scheduled to be played from November 17 to 29.
“The ACB considers this a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family. The ACB also extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the bereaved families of the martyrs and to the people of Paktika Province,” the ACB said.
“In response to this tragic incident and as a gesture of respect to the victims, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to withdraw from participating in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan, scheduled to be played in late November,” it further stated.