Islamabad — Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar issued a forceful rebuttal on his official X account, rejecting what he described as ICC’s baseless allegations regarding the reported deaths of three Afghan cricketers in an alleged airstrike. The minister called the ICC’s comment “selective, biased and premature,” and accused the global cricket body of advancing a disputed narrative without independent verification.
“Pakistan, a prime victim of cross-border terrorism, strongly contests the ICC’s characterization and demands an immediate correction,” the minister wrote, emphasizing that the ICC had failed to cite any credible evidence to substantiate its claim. He warned that ICC’s baseless allegations risk undermining the credibility of international cricket governance.
Concerns Over Coordinated Messaging and Lack of Verification
The minister highlighted a troubling pattern of amplification, noting that ICC Chair Jay Shah echoed the same claim on X shortly after the ICC’s release. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) then posted a similar statement, explicitly invoking the ICC’s version of events rather than offering independent details or proof. The minister described this sequence as an attempt to manufacture an “ostensible echo chamber” built around ICC’s baseless allegations.
Pattern of Controversies Under ICC Leadership
The post also referenced prior incidents that have eroded confidence in the ICC’s neutrality, including the recent “handshake controversy” that delayed Pakistan’s Asia Cup fixture. The minister argued that such episodes reflect a broader pattern of avoidable controversies disproportionately affecting Pakistan cricket under the ICC’s current leadership.
Call for Depoliticization and Institutional Integrity
Reaffirming Pakistan’s longstanding position that politics must not contaminate sport, the minister urged the ICC to uphold its independence and the spirit of the game. He called on the body to refrain from certifying unverified claims, resist political influence, and maintain impartial standards regardless of the nationality of its office-bearers. He cautioned that continued reliance on ICC’s baseless allegations could set a troubling precedent for global sports governance.
In a pointed remark, the minister noted that the ICC’s current Chair hails from India, and warned against setting a precedent that embroils a global sport regulator in narratives linked to violent extremism.
https://x.com/tararattaullah/status/1979624361159274919?s=48&t=jPbJDKkwqDUusoO_M1Urxw
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