- By Vishal Pushkar
- Sun, 19 Oct 2025 03:01 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In a fit to justify his country's stance, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Information, Ata Tarar, has issued a statement dismissing the International Cricket Council (ICC)'s show of solidarity for Afghanistan on the deaths of three cricketers. Notably, Tarar called the statement 'selective and biased' in nature.
On Saturday, the ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) issued statements condoling the death of Afghanistan cricketers in an air attack at Paktika Province in the country. However, the statements had no mention of Pakistan.
In response, the Cricket governing body in Afghanistan, ACB, withdrew its team's participation from a tri-series in Pakistan next month.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) roped in Zimbabwe to rope in place of Afghanistan for the tri-series that also involves Sri Lanka.
Also Read: IND vs AUS 1st ODI Live Cricket Score
“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 in a statement on Sunday.
“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 said Pakistan itself had been a victim of terrorism for years and demanded the ICC correct its statement.
“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.
Several Afghan cricketers, including stars such as Rashid Khan and Gulbadin Naib, had condemned the aerial attack and the subsequent deaths in strong language through their social media posts on Saturday.
Also Read: 176 Kmph! Starc bowls the fastest delivery in cricket history?
“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.