Copyright news18
Sayed Naseem Sadaat, spokesperson for the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), has strongly condemned Pakistan’s airstrike in Paktika province that resulted in the death of three Afghan cricketers. He urged global cricket boards to denounce the attack, emphasising that cricket promotes peace and should remain separate from conflict. Sadaat called for the protection of cricketers and the sport from war-related issues. The ACB confirmed that the players, Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, were among eight individuals killed in the airstrike in the Urgun district, with seven others reportedly injured. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Sayed Naseem Sadaat was quoted as saying, “We call upon all the cricket boards to condemn such barbaric attacks because cricket is a game that carries the message of peace. Cricketers are peace ambassadors and they should be stayed away from the war. War should not be interfered in sports. So we call upon all the cricket fraternity and boards to condemn such attacks and keep cricket away from war.” Sadaat mentioned that they have clear evidence, including a video report, proving that the Pakistani state was responsible for the attack that killed three Afghan cricketers in Paktika province. The attack has been widely condemned by the cricket community, including prominent Afghan cricketers like Rashid Khan. In protest, the ACB has withdrawn from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka. “We got evidence all the cricket fraternity and all the people around the world would have definitely watched our video report on the incident that was made by our media team. So, we got clear evidence that the attack was done by a Pakistani state,” he said. “After the incident, the management of Afghanistan Cricket Board decided to cancel Afghanistan’s participation in the tri-series that was going to be hosted by Pakistan,” he added. Sadaat also stated that the ACB management’s decision to withdraw from the Tri-Nation T20I series was supported by the national team players, including senior players. “The decision taken by ACB management was welcomed by all of our national team players including the senior players who are playing for national team. They all were fine with the decision. They welcomed the decision. They showed their grief and sorrow and shared their condolences with the families of the martyred cricketers and other innocent people in the area,” he concluded. What Happened? The three players had travelled to Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, to participate in a friendly cricket match. Upon returning home to Urgun, they were targeted during a gathering. The Afghanistan board described the attack in its statement as “a cowardly act carried out by the Pakistani regime.” Following Afghanistan’s withdrawal from the T20I tri-series amid escalating cross-border tensions with Islamabad, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that Zimbabwe has accepted their invitation to participate in the tri-series. The tri-series will commence on November 17, with hosts Pakistan facing Zimbabwe at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The second fixture is scheduled for November 19, when Sri Lanka will compete against Zimbabwe at the same venue. After these two matches in Rawalpindi, the action will shift to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, which will host the remaining five matches, including the final on November 29. (With inputs from ANI)
