The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has called upon the International Cricket Council (ICC) to implement “firm and decisive measures” against Pakistan, following airstrikes on Friday evening that the ACB claims resulted in the death of three young Afghan cricketers and several other civilians.
The Afghan board’s strong demand came shortly after both the ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) issued statements condoling the deaths and expressing solidarity with the ACB.
Tragic Incident and Protest
The incident, which Taliban officials claim violated a 48-hour ceasefire, reportedly occurred when the three cricketers—identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon—were killed along with seven others in the Paktika province. In immediate protest, the ACB withdrew its national team from the upcoming Tri-Nation Series in Pakistan.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the ACB first thanked the global governing body: “The Afghanistan Cricket Board extends its sincere gratitude to the @ICC for issuing its statement… This gesture genuinely reflects the ICC’s neutrality, compassion, and commitment to fairness…”
However, the board quickly pivoted to a call for concrete action against the neighbouring country.
Call for Action
“The ACB has consistently upheld the principle of keeping sports separate from politics… 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,” the statement read, strongly condemning the act of violence.
The tragedy has resonated deeply within the Afghan cricketing community, with prominent players like Rashid Khan ramping up personal protests, including removing the name of his former Pakistan Super League team, Lahore Qalandars, from his social media bio.
PCB Rushes to Find Replacement
Following Afghanistan’s withdrawal from the Tri-Series, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Saturday evening that Zimbabwe would step in as a replacement. The tournament, also featuring Sri Lanka, is scheduled to begin on November 17, with the final on November 29.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts appear to have yielded results, as Qatar announced on Sunday morning that Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to an “immediate ceasefire,” aiming to ensure its reliability and sustainability.