Afghanistan Boycotts T20 Series in Pakistan After Attack Kills Three Local Players; BCCI and ICC Condemn air strike News24 –

Afghanistan Players Killed in Pakistan Airstrikes: Afghanistan will withdraw from an upcoming cricket series after three local players were killed in an air strike. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said the players were “targeted” in an attack by the Pakistani regime. The strike took place in Urgon district, Paktika province, while the players were having dinner after a match. Eight people in total were killed. Pakistan said the strike targeted militants and denied hitting civilians.

Afghan Players Killed in Pakistan Air Strikes

The ACB named the three players who were killed as Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah and Haroon, calling their deaths “a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family”. The International Cricket Council (ICC) said it was “deeply saddened and appalled” by the “tragic deaths of three young and promising Afghan cricketers” in an air strike that also “claimed the lives of several civilians”.

“The ICC stands in solidarity with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and echoes their grief,” it said in a statement, adding that it “strongly condemns this act of violence”.

The attack happened just hours before a temporary truce between Afghanistan and Pakistan was set to end. There had been several days of deadly clashes along the border. Many people were killed or injured. Pakistan said the air strike was aimed at Afghan militants and that at least 70 fighters were killed. Pakistan’s Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, said reports that civilians were targeted are false and meant to support terrorist groups in Afghanistan.

ICC, BCCI condole deaths of three Afghan cricketers 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expressed its deep sorrow and condolences on the tragic loss of three young Afghan cricketers – Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah, and Haroon. “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,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said as quoted by the press release on Saturday.

Afghanistan Players Killed in Pakistan Airstrikes: The BCCI also conveyed its sympathies to the people of Afghanistan and shared in their pain and loss. In a heartfelt statement, the International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah also expressed his deep sadness over the tragic loss of three young Afghan cricketers, Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, whose lives and dreams were cut short in a senseless act of violence.

“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,” Jay Shah wrote on X.

What the Afghan Cricket Board Said on the Killings of Cricketers

Afghanistan Players Killed in Pakistan Airstrikes: Afghanistan’s national cricket team on Friday gathered during their practice session to pay tribute to the victims of the recent tragic attack in Paktika province. Afghan Atalan expressed their deepest condolences and solidarity with the bereaved families.

“AfghanAtalan, during their practice session ahead of the one-off Test match against Zimbabwe, gathered together to pay tribute to the victims of the tragic attack in Paktika province and expressed their deepest condolences and solidarity with the bereaved families and all Afghans affected by this heartbreaking incident. Last night, several local citizens, including three cricketers, were martyred, and many others were injured in a tragic airstrike carried out by the Pakistani regime,” Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) wrote on X.

How Afghan Cricketers Were Killed in Pakistan Air Strike?

Afghanistan Players Killed in Pakistan Airstrikes: 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. They are identified as Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah and Haroon. 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, according to an ICC media press release.