Pakistan drags Jay Shah into row over ICC statement on Afghanistan cricketers killed in airstrikes
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A Pakistan Federal Minister has condemned the actions of the ICC after the Apex international body extended its support and condolences in favor of the three Afghan cricketers who were reportedly killed during the recent airstrikes on the Afghan territory.
Afghanistan reported the death of 10 Afghan citizens, including three cricketers, at the border region of Paktika, where Pakistani aircraft launched a sudden attack defying the ceasefire of 48 hours.
Post the attack, the ICC released a statement claiming the act to be inhuman and extended their solidarity towards the Afghanistan cricketers and their families. Even the BCCI, in a separate statement, had issued the same.
Pakistan Lashes out at ICC for biased decision on the death of Afghan players
As the reports had claimed, ICC too immediately considered them as a reference and condemned the Pakistani act clearly, through a tweet. The ICC had indirectly held Pakistan responsible for the attacks.
To this, Pakistan Federal Minister for Information, Ata Tarar, has dismissed the ICC's statement and claimed that Pakistan is not responsible for the death of the three cricketers.
“We dismiss and condemn this statement by the ICC which gives the impression and makes claims that three Afghan cricketers were killed in Pakistan strikes,” Tarar said in a statement on Sunday, as quoted by PTI.
“The ICC has not bothered to independently verify the claims by the Afghanistan board and issued a statement claiming a Pakistan attack,” he said.
Pakistan minister questions the credibility of ICC Chairman Jay Shah
The minister further went on to take a sly dig at the current ICC Chairman Jay Shah, who previously held the role of BCCI's Secretary, a position now held by Devajit Saikia. The minister claimed that Pakistan itself has been a victim of terrorism for years.
“It is strange that a few hours after the ICC statement, the Chairman of the ICC Jay Shah repeated the same words on his social media account and the Afghanistan board followed with similar words.
“The Afghanistan board made statements without presenting any real evidence,” he added.
Even several Afghan cricketers who are now global figures, like Rashid Khan and Gulbadin Naib, have condemned the attacks on the Afghanistan territory and supported the ACB's decision to back out of the tri-series.
Pakistan digs out the Asia Cup handshake row to prove ICC's bias towards the PCB
While referring to the actions of the ICC and in an attempt to prove them to be biased, the Pakistani minister once again brought up the issue of handshakes being snubbed by India during the Asia Cup.
“This seriously raises questions on the ICC's independence and unbiased approach. An international sports governing body should not be promoting a controversial claim yet to be verified."
“The ICC should remain independent and avoid making contentious statements on the incitement of others,” he said.
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