BCCI condemns Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghanistan, mourns cricketers’ deaths and backs Afghanistan Cricket Board’s withdrawal.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has condemned Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghanistan, which killed three cricketers, calling the attack ‘cowardly’. The Afghanistan cricket team decided to withdraw from the upcoming tri-nation T20I series involving Pakistan after the attacks.
The series involving Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka was scheduled to be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore from November 17.
In a statement, the Afghanistan Cricket Board said that it was saddened by the tragic martyrdom of the cricketers.
“The Board of Control for Cricket in India expresses its deep sorrow and condolences on the tragic loss of three young Afghan cricketers, Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah and Haroon, who lost their lives in the cowardly cross-border airstrikes in Paktika province,” the board said in a statement.
“The BCCI stands in solidarity with the Afghanistan Cricket Board, the cricket fraternity and the families of the departed players during this moment of profound grief and condemns this ghastly and unwarranted attack,” BCCI added.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board said that its decision to pull out of the series was taken as a gesture of respect to the victims.
“In response to this tragic incident and as a gesture of respect to the victims, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to withdraw from participating in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan,” the statement read.
As per reports, Pakistan held airstrikes in the Argun and Barmal districts of Paktika province, halting the ceasefire between the two countries as well.
