The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued an official statement regarding the deaths that occured in Paktika province of Afghanistan due to Pakistan's airstrikes on Friday night (October 17). A large number of civilians were reported dead, including three young cricketers.
On Saturday (October 18), the BCCI released an official statement to express their condolences towards Afghanistan and their cricket system. Secretary Devajit Saikia represented the Board in its official statement and termed Pakistan's airstrikes as 'cowardly.
"The Board of Control for Cricket in India (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," read the initial sentences of BCCI's official statement from Saikia.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (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. The BCCI… pic.twitter.com/iVAkNEgcGW
— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2025
"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."
Jay Shah, former BCCI secretary and currently the chairman of International Cricket Council (ICC) earlier sent out his condolences through his social media account on X. Tagging the airstrikes from Pakistan as 'senseless', Shah vowed his solidarity with Afghanistan and its cricket system.
"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," wrote Shah.
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…
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) October 18, 2025
"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."
Earlier in the day, Afghanistan's captain Rashid Khan took to social media to express his sadness over the unfortunate incidents. The leg-spinner didn't mince his words and lashed out at Pakistan, terming their actions as 'immoral' and 'unlawful'.
His statements came after Afghanistan withdrew from their scheduled tri-series in Pakistan that was set to have Sri Lanka as the third team. The future of that tournament is currently unclear.
