Information Minister calls ICC’s statement “biased, premature and unsupported by evidence”
Pakistan has strongly rejected what it called a “selective, biased and unverified” statement issued by the International Cricket Council (ICC), alleging that three Afghan cricketers were killed in an airstrike. The government described the ICC’s comment as “premature and politically motivated,” demanding an immediate correction and accountability from the global cricket body.
In a hard-hitting statement, the Minister for Information and Broadcasting said that Pakistan, itself a prime victim of cross-border terrorism, could not accept the ICC’s characterization of the incident as fact when no credible or independent verification was provided.
> “The ICC has cited no reliable evidence to substantiate its claim,” the minister stated. “Pakistan rejects this baseless narrative and calls for an immediate correction.”
The minister noted a troubling pattern in how the ICC’s release was echoed within hours by ICC Chair Jay Shah on social media, followed by a statement from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) that relied entirely on the ICC’s claim rather than presenting any independent proof.
> “This sequence of messaging appears to be a coordinated attempt to amplify a disputed narrative,” the minister added.
Pakistan’s response also pointed to a series of controversies under the ICC’s current leadership, which it said have disproportionately targeted Pakistan cricket, including the recent handshake controversy that delayed a Pakistan fixture during the Asia Cup.
> “Such recurring incidents have damaged confidence in ICC’s neutrality,” the minister said. “A global sports regulator must be impartial and must not allow political bias to influence its conduct.”
Reiterating Pakistan’s stance that politics must never be allowed to contaminate sport, the minister urged the ICC to maintain independence and professional integrity, warning against becoming a tool for political agendas.
> “The ICC must refrain from endorsing unverified claims or taking sides,” the statement read. “It should ensure fair play and uphold the spirit of the game without discrimination.”
Concluding the statement, the Information Minister emphasized that the ICC, led by a chairperson from India, bears a special responsibility to maintain credibility, neutrality, and fairness in global cricket governance.
> “Pakistan expects the ICC to act as an unbiased regulator, not as a platform for political narratives,” the minister warned. “This unverified claim sets a dangerous precedent that could entangle the sport with extremist-linked propaganda.”
