The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday expressed deep sorrow and outrage over the deaths of three young cricketers who were killed in Pakistan’s airstrike in Afghanistan’s Paktika province.
In a statement, the ICC identified the victims as Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah and Haroon — all promising domestic players who had just returned from participating in a friendly cricket match. The airstrike, which struck civilians in the Urgun district on Friday, also killed several others and injured more.
“The ICC is deeply saddened and appalled by the tragic deaths of these young athletes,” the global governing body said. “This act of violence has robbed families, communities, and the cricketing world of three bright talents whose only ambition was to play the sport they loved.”
The ICC said it stands in solidarity with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and echoed the board’s grief.
In response, the ACB thanked the ICC for its public support, calling the gesture a reflection of the council’s “neutrality, compassion, and commitment to fairness.”
The ACB reiterated its condemnation of the attack and called for strong action against those responsible. “This inhumane act must not go unanswered,” the board said, emphasizing its belief in keeping sports separate from politics, even amid conflict.
The deaths of the cricketers followed a wave of cross-border violence between Pakistan and Taliban forces, including airstrikes reportedly conducted by Pakistan in Afghanistan’s southeastern provinces. The Taliban have accused Pakistan of targeting civilian areas, while Islamabad claims the operations were aimed at militant hideouts.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said last week that 37 civilians were killed and 425 wounded in the clashes, with many casualties reported in Paktika province.
