Pakistan has expressed strong criticism towards the International Cricket Council (ICC) for its statement regarding Afghan cricketers’ deaths.The ICC and BCCI issued condolence statements on Saturday for the deaths of Afghan cricketers in an aerial attack in Paktika Province, without naming Pakistan. Pakistan’s Information Minister Ataullah Tarar rejected these statements, noting Afghanistan’s unverified claims about three local cricketers’ deaths.The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) withdrew its team from an upcoming tri-series in Pakistan, leading to these statements from cricket governing bodies. Pakistan Cricket Board subsequently announced Zimbabwe as Afghanistan’s replacement in the series that includes Sri Lanka.
“We dismiss and condemn this statement by the ICC which gives the impression and makes claims that three Afghan cricketers were killed in Pakistan strikes,” Tarar said in a statement on Sunday.“The ICC has not bothered to independently verify the claims by the Afghanistan board and issued a statement claiming a Pakistan attack,” he said.Tarar emphasised Pakistan’s own experiences as a victim of terrorism and called for the ICC to revise its statement. “It is strange that a few hours after the ICC statement, the Chairman of the ICC Jay Shah repeated the same words on his social media account and the Afghanistan board followed with similar words. The Afghanistan board made statements without presenting any real evidence,” he added.Several prominent Afghan cricketers, including Rashid Khan and Gulbadin Naib, used social media platforms to strongly condemn the aerial attack and the resulting casualties.“This seriously raises questions on the ICC’s independence and unbiased approach. An international sports governing body should not be promoting a controversial claim yet to be verified. The ICC should remain independent and avoid making contentious statements on the incitement of others,” he said.The minister referenced recent events, including a no-handshake incident during the Asia Cup, suggesting potential bias against Pakistan cricket.The situation has created tension between the cricket boards and raised questions about the verification of claims in international cricket incidents.The PCB’s quick action to secure Zimbabwe as a replacement team ensures the tri-series will proceed as planned despite Afghanistan’s withdrawal.
