Priyanka Chaturvedi slams BCCI, cites Afghanistan's boycott after cricketers' killings
What's the story
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the central government to learn from Afghanistan's decision to prioritize national interests over sports. This came after Afghanistan withdrew from a tri-series with Pakistan, following a cross-border airstrike that killed ten civilians, including three Afghan cricketers. The series was scheduled for November 17-29 in Rawalpindi and Lahore, and also involved Sri Lanka.
Series cancelation
ACB withdraws from the series
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced its decision to withdraw from the upcoming series as a mark of respect to the victims. The cricketers killed in the airstrike were identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon. Seven other civilians were also injured in this incident. The ACB expressed deep grief over these tragic losses and emphasized its commitment to prioritizing national dignity above all else.
Political response
Chaturvedi calls on Sri Lanka to pull out
Chaturvedi also slammed Pakistan for its actions and called on Sri Lanka to pull out of the tournament in solidarity with Afghanistan. She reminded them of a 2009 terrorist attack on their team in Lahore. "Hope Sri Lanka team will withdraw from this tri-series too, in solidarity with the Afghanistan Team. Not to forget even their team was attacked in 2009 by terrorists when on Pakistan tour," she wrote on X.
Past criticism
Chaturvedi earlier slammed BCCI, Modi government
Chaturvedi had earlier slammed the BCCI and the Modi government for continuing with the Asia Cup despite boycott calls after a terror attack in Pahalgam. She accused them of compromising national interests for commercial gains. Even though India won the tournament, it refused to take the trophy because it was presented by Mohsin Naqvi, who is the chairperson of the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Twitter Post
Priyanka Chaturvedi's post on X
Hope SriLanka team will withdraw from this tri series too, in solidarity with the Afghanistan Team. Not to forget even their team was attacked in 2009 by terrorists when on Pakistan tour. Unlike BCCI hope other Asian teams stand in solidarity against Pakistan sponsored terrorism…
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) October 18, 2025