Pakistan Condemns ICC Statement on Afghan Cricketers’ Deaths as “Biased”

Pakistan’s Information Minister, Ataullah Tarar, has rejected the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) statement about the deaths of three Afghan cricketers, calling it “selective” and “biased.” The ICC and the Indian cricket board (BCCI) had offered condolences over the tragic deaths of the Afghan players, who lost their lives in an airstrike in Afghanistan’s Paktika Province on Saturday, but neither mentioned Pakistan in their statements.

Pakistan’s Minister Rejects ICC Statement on Afghan Cricketers’ Deaths

After the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) decided to withdraw their team from next month’s tri-series in Pakistan, the cricket authorities responded. Following this, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced that Zimbabwe would replace Afghanistan in the tri-series, which will also feature 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

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

The minister asked the ICC to take back its statement, saying that Pakistan has suffered from terrorism for many years.

“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.

Afghan Players Speak Out, Pakistan Questions ICC

On Saturday, several Afghan cricket players, including stars Rashid Khan and Gulbadin Naib, spoke out on social media against the aircraft attack and the deaths that followed.

Tarar said that recent events, like the Asia Cup where players didn’t shake hands, could be seen as unfair treatment of Pakistani cricket.

“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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