Pakistan slams ICC over statement on Afghan cricketers’ deaths: 'They should remain independent'

Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, has rejected the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) statement on the deaths of three Afghan cricketers, calling it “biased.” The statement, issued on Saturday, condoled the deaths of Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah, and Haroon in an aerial attack in Afghanistan’s Paktika province.

The ICC’s message followed the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s (ACB) decision to withdraw its team from a tri-series in Pakistan next month. In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced that Zimbabwe will replace Afghanistan in the tri-series, which also involves 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. He added that the ICC had not independently verified Afghanistan’s claims before issuing the statement.

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“The ICC has not bothered to independently verify the claims by the Afghanistan board and issued a statement claiming a Pakistan attack,” he said.

“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.

ICC asked to verify claims before making statements

The minister questioned the credibility of ICC’s statement and said that it raises doubts over the independence of the governing body, which is currently controlled by India’s Jay Shah. He said that an international sporting body should not promote controversial claims without verifying them first.

“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.

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The ACB later clarified that the ICC issued its statement following the board’s appeal and praised the council for acting in “neutrality” and expressing sympathy for the victims. The ACB also urged the ICC to take “decisive measures” against Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the attack.

“The Afghanistan Cricket Board extends its sincere gratitude to the @ICC for issuing its statement following the ACB’s appeal. This gesture genuinely reflects the ICC’s neutrality, compassion, and commitment to fairness in expressing its sorrow and sympathy over the tragic martyrdom of young domestic cricketers in Afghanistan,” the ACB wrote on X.

“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,” it added.