Pakistan has vehemently condemned the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) recent statement concerning the deaths of Afghan cricketers, arguing that the global governing body acted without thoroughly verifying the claims. The controversy stems from a series of events, beginning with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) withdrawing its team from an upcoming tri-series scheduled in Pakistan.
Following the ACB’s withdrawal, citing an aerial attack in Paktika Province that allegedly killed three local cricketers, both the ICC and the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) issued condolence statements. However, these statements deliberately avoided naming Pakistan as the perpetrator of the attack.
In a strong rebuttal on Sunday, Pakistan’s Information Minister, Ataullah Tarar, dismissed and condemned the ICC’s statement. He accused the ICC of presenting an impression and making claims about Afghan cricketers being killed in ‘Pakistan strikes’ without conducting its own independent verification of the ACB’s assertions. Tarar pointed out the unusual swiftness of the ICC’s statement, followed closely by similar comments from ICC Chairman Jay Shah on social media and then the Afghanistan board, all without concrete evidence.
The Pakistani minister highlighted his country’s own history as a victim of terrorism, emphasizing that the ICC should revise its statement and maintain an unbiased approach. He questioned the international sports body’s impartiality, particularly its role in promoting what he termed “controversial claims” without proper scrutiny. Tarar underscored that an organization like the ICC should avoid contentious statements influenced by external parties.
This incident has exacerbated tensions between the cricket boards involved and raised significant questions about the process of verifying sensitive claims within international cricket. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) swiftly moved to secure Zimbabwe as Afghanistan’s replacement, ensuring the tri-series, which also includes Sri Lanka, will proceed as planned.