Priyanka Chaturvedi (Photo credit: ANI)
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Saturday praised the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) for calling off its upcoming series against Pakistan, stating that the move sets an example for India. She suggested that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Union Government could “take tips on how to prioritise the nation over sports” after Pakistan conducted deadly airstrikes in Afghanistan.Chaturvedi took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, “Pakistan establishment is made up of a bunch of cowards who thrive on the blood of their innocent victims and get thrashed at the borders. Shame on them. Good to see Afghanistan Cricket Board call off their series matches with Pakistan, maybe BCCI and GoI can take tips on how to prioritise nation over sports” The cancellation comes a day after a Pakistan airstrike in Afghanistan’s Urgun district that killed three Afghan cricketers, identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, among eight people killed and seven others injured. The attack reportedly targeted residential areas in Urgun and Barmal districts, violating a 48-hour ceasefire agreement between the neighbouring countries, according to Tolo News.The ACB, in an official statement, confirmed its withdrawal from the Tri-Nation T20I series involving Pakistan, scheduled for late November, as a mark of respect to the victims.”In response of this tragic incident and as a gesture of respect to the victims, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to withdraw from participating in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan, scheduled to be played in late November,” the statement read. Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan also condemned the airstrikes, calling them “absolutely immoral and barbaric” and a “grave violation” of human rights. He said, “I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes on Afghanistan. A tragedy that claimed the lives of women, children, and aspiring young cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation on the world stage.”Rashid added, “It is absolutely immoral and barbaric to target civilian infrastructure. In light of the precious innocent souls lost, I welcome the ACB’s decision of withdrawing from upcoming fixtures against Pakistan. I stand with our people at this difficult time, our national dignity must come before all else.”
