BCCI, ICC condemn killing of Three young Afghan Cricketers in Airstrikes

October 18, 2025

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expressed 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 cross-border airstrikes in Afghanistan’s southeastern Paktika province.

“The BCCI stands in solidarity with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), the cricket fraternity, and the families of the departed players during this moment of profound grief and condemns this ghastly and unwarranted attack. The loss of innocent lives, particularly those of promising sportspersons, is deeply distressing and a matter of great concern,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said as quoted by the press release on Saturday.

The BCCI also conveyed its sympathies to the people of Afghanistan and shared in their pain and loss.

In a heartfelt statement, the International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah also expressed his deep sadness over the tragic loss of three young Afghan cricketers, Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, whose lives and promising careers were cut short in a brutal act of violence.

“Deeply saddened by the loss of three young Afghan cricketers, Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, whose dreams were cut short by a senseless act of violence. The loss of such promising talent is a tragedy not just for Afghanistan but for the entire cricketing world. We stand in solidarity with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and all those mourning this heartbreaking loss,” Jay Shah wrote on X.

The three young men had returned home after participating in a friendly cricket match when they were killed in an attack that also claimed the lives of several civilians. The ICC strongly condemns this act of violence that has robbed families, communities, and the cricketing world of three bright talents whose only ambition was to play the sport they loved, according to an ICC media press release.

The ICC stands in solidarity with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and echoes their grief.

Earlier on Friday, Pakistan conducted a series of airstrikes in Afghanistan’s southeastern Paktika province, marking a breach of the recent ceasefire agreement between the two neighbouring countries, as reported by Tolo News.

According to Tolo News, citing sources, the airstrikes reportedly targeted residential areas in the Urgun and Barmal districts of the country, causing significant civilian casualties.

These deadly strikes come amid a 48-hour ceasefire agreement between the two nations following days of intense cross-border clashes.

Pakistan also called for an extension of the ceasefire until the end of the ongoing Doha negotiations aimed at easing tensions and preventing cross-border violence.