ICC Chairman Jay Shah Mourns Young Afghan Cricketers Lost to Violence

Dubai: The International Cricket Council has spoken up about the tragic loss of three young Afghan cricketers who were killed in airstrikes in Afghanistan's Paktika province. ICC Chairman Jay Shah, who recently took over the world cricket body, issued a heartfelt statement expressing his grief and condemning the violence.

The three players—Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah, and Haroon—were local cricketers with big dreams. They had just finished playing a friendly cricket match in Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, and were heading home when they lost their lives.

"Dreams Cut Short by Senseless Violence"

Jay Shah didn't hold back his emotions in his statement posted on social media. "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," he wrote.

The ICC chairman went on to say that this wasn't just Afghanistan's loss—it was a tragedy for the entire cricket community. "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," Shah added.

His words reflect what many in cricket feel: that young lives lost to violence is a pain that goes beyond borders and politics.

What Happened in Paktika?

According to reports, the airstrikes were conducted in the Argun and Barmal districts of Paktika province, near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Eight civilians were killed in total, including the three cricketers, and seven others were injured.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board revealed that the players had traveled from their home district of Urgun to play in a friendly tournament. After the match ended, they were at a gathering—possibly celebrating or just spending time together—when the strikes happened. They were among the five civilians from Urgun who died in the attack.

It's a heartbreaking detail that makes the tragedy even more personal. These weren't soldiers or fighters. They were young men who loved cricket, probably talking about their match, their dreams, and their future.

Afghanistan Pulls Out of Pakistan Series

The Afghanistan Cricket Board wasted no time in responding. It immediately announced that the national team would not participate in the upcoming tri-nation T20I series scheduled to be held in Pakistan from November 17 to 29. The series was supposed to include Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

In its statement, the ACB called the incident "a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime" and said it was withdrawing "as a gesture of respect to the victims." The board made it clear that this was not just about cricket anymore—it was about standing with their people and honoring the memory of those who were lost.

What's Next for the Tri-Nation Series?

With Afghanistan pulling out, the Pakistan Cricket Board now faces a dilemma. According to sources within the PCB, officials are trying to invite another nation to replace Afghanistan in the tri-series. However, finding a replacement on such short notice won't be easy, and it remains to be seen whether the tournament will go ahead as planned or be called off altogether.

A Loss Felt Across Cricket

Beyond the official statements, cricketers from around the world have expressed their grief. Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan had already condemned the strikes and backed his board's decision to withdraw from the series. The BCCI also issued a strong statement standing with Afghanistan and calling the attack "ghastly and unwarranted."

This tragedy is a reminder that cricket, for all its joy and excitement, exists in a world where young lives can be lost in an instant. For Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, their dreams of representing Afghanistan will remain unfulfilled. But their memory will stay with the cricket community for a long time.