ICC chairman, Afghan cricketers mourn Shinwari’s death

KABUL (Pajhwok): The International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and several senior national team players have expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Afghan international umpire Bismillah Jan Shinwari, calling his demise a loss to the cricketing world.

Shinwari passed away on Monday at the age of 41 due to an illness and was laid to rest in his native village in Nangarhar province on Tuesday morning.

In a statement issued today, the ICC said its chairman Jay Shah extended his condolences to Shinwari’s family and expressed sadness over the loss.

He said: “We are deeply saddened by this loss and offer our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.”

Rashid Khan, captain of Afghanistan’s national T20 cricket team, wrote on his Facebook page: “With great sadness, I must say that international umpire Bismillah Jan Shinwari is no longer with us. May Allah grant him Jannat-ul-Firdaws and give patience to his family and to all of us.”

Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi also paid tribute, saying Shinwari was a loyal friend of the cricketing family and a sincere individual.
“May Allah bless him with paradise. My heartfelt condolences to his family,” he added.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) also expressed its condolences, stating that its leadership, players, and staff regarded Shinwari’s passing as a significant and irreparable loss.

According to the ICC, Bismillah Jan Shinwari began his international umpiring career in 2017, officiating in an ODI between Afghanistan and Ireland at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

He officiated in 25 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 21 T20Is, in addition to various domestic matches.

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