Srinagar: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has expressed deep sorrow and condemnation over the tragic deaths of three young Afghan cricketers — Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah, and Haroon — who were reportedly killed in a recent airstrike by Pakistan in Afghanistan’s Paktika province.
In an official statement, the ICC said, “The International Cricket Council is deeply saddened and appalled by the tragic deaths of three young and promising Afghan cricketers who lost their lives in an airstrike in Afghanistan’s Paktika province. The three had just returned home after playing a friendly cricket match when the attack occurred, also claiming the lives of several civilians.”
The statement further read, “The ICC strongly condemns this senseless act of violence that has robbed families, communities, and the cricketing world of three bright talents whose only dream was to play the game they loved. We stand in solidarity with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and share their profound grief.”
In the aftermath of the incident, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced its withdrawal from the upcoming tri-nation T20 series in Pakistan, which also featured Sri Lanka as the third participant. The ACB cited the loss of its players in Pakistan’s airstrikes as the reason for the pullout.
Reacting to the development, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that the tri-series will continue as planned.
“The Tri-Series will progress as scheduled even after Afghanistan’s withdrawal. We are exploring replacement options and will announce a new team shortly,” a senior PCB official said.
The PCB added that associate member nations such as Nepal and the UAE are under consideration to fill the vacant spot, though their preference remains to bring in a Test-playing nation.
Meanwhile, Pakistan will also host Sri Lanka in a separate three-match bilateral T20 series from November 11 to 15 ahead of the tri-series scheduled to start on November 17.
