Sport or politics? BCCI and ICC chief Jay Shah slam Pakistan for airstrike that killed three Afghan cricketers

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has strongly condemned the deaths of three young Afghan cricketers who were reportedly killed in a Pakistani airstrike in Afghanistan’s Paktika province.

In a statement released on Saturday, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia expressed sorrow over the tragedy, describing the cross-border airstrike as “cowardly” and extending condolences to the bereaved families and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).

“The BCCI 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,” Saikia said. “The loss of innocent lives, particularly those of promising sportspersons, is deeply distressing and a matter of great concern.”

The BCCI added that it “stands in solidarity with the Afghanistan Cricket Board, the cricket fraternity, and the families of the departed players during this moment of profound grief”.

International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah also posted his condolences on X, calling the deaths “a senseless act of violence” and saying the “loss of such promising talent is a tragedy not just for Afghanistan but for the entire cricketing world”.

Following the strike, Afghanistan announced its withdrawal from the upcoming tri-nation series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka as a mark of protest. Star spinner Rashid Khan also condemned the attack, saying he was “deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes on Afghanistan.”

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), however, said the series would proceed and revealed that it was in talks with other teams to replace Afghanistan.

Observers believe the BCCI’s statement carries diplomatic undertones amid continuing tensions between India and Pakistan over both cricket and politics. Relations between the BCCI and PCB have been strained since the controversial 2023 Asia Cup, when Pakistan’s sports minister and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi clashed with Indian officials during the trophy ceremony.

The latest statement comes against the backdrop of India’s ongoing “Operation Sindoor”, further intensifying regional sensitivities.

Reports from Afghanistan’s Paktika province confirm that Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah, and Haroon — all local players involved in domestic cricket — were among those killed in the alleged Pakistani airstrike on Friday.

The ICC and other cricketing bodies have joined the BCCI in mourning the loss, calling for restraint and urging that the “spirit of cricket” remain untouched by political or military conflict.

Afghanistan’s withdrawal is being seen as a symbolic act of protest, while the BCCI’s statement reinforces India’s alignment with Afghanistan on humanitarian and sporting grounds — and indirectly isolates Pakistan on the diplomatic front.

According to Afghan authorities, the airstrikes in Paktika province targeted residential areas, killing several civilians, including the three cricketers. The incident has reignited international debate over the use of air power in cross-border conflicts and its impact on non-combatants.

The ICC has called for “peace and protection of life in all nations”, while several former players from Afghanistan and India have echoed similar sentiments. Meanwhile, the PCB’s decision to go ahead with the series despite Afghanistan’s withdrawal has drawn mixed reactions within cricketing circles.

The BCCI’s swift and strongly worded response is seen as an extension of India’s diplomatic position, reflecting its growing role in shaping cricket governance alongside political messaging.