A devastating Pakistani airstrike near the Afghanistan border has claimed the lives of three Afghan cricketers, leaving the nation in shock. The tragic incident occurred in Paktika province, where eight people were killed in total. In response, Afghanistan has officially withdrawn from the upcoming Tri-Nation Series. Team captain Rashid Khan broke down while addressing the media, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of his teammates and calling for justice.
Afghanistan has officially withdrawn from the upcoming tri-nation series featuring Pakistan and Sri Lanka, following the tragic killing of three Afghan cricketers in a recent Pakistani airstrike near the border. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed the decision on Friday, calling it a period of national mourning and solidarity with the affected families.
According to the ACB, the players had travelled from Urgun to Sharana in Paktika province, located near the Pakistan border, to take part in a local friendly match when the airstrike occurred. The incident has sparked outrage across the cricketing community, with many demanding accountability and justice for the young athletes who lost their lives.
The ACB stated that “after returning home to Urgun, they were targeted during a gathering” in what it described as “a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.”
Afghanistan Mourns After Pakistani Airstrike Kills Three Cricketers — Rashid Khan Condemns ‘Barbaric’ Attack, Team Withdraws from Tri-Series (Pakistani Airstrike)
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) identified the three cricketers killed in the Pakistani airstrike as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, while confirming that five other civilians also lost their lives in the same attack. The board expressed that this incident is a tremendous loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, describing it as a dark day for the nation’s athletes and cricketing family. Extending its heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families, the ACB stated that withdrawing from next month’s tri-nation series was a symbolic gesture of respect and mourning for those who perished.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan voiced his grief on social media, expressing deep sorrow over the deaths caused by the recent airstrikes. He condemned the attack as “immoral and barbaric,” emphasizing that targeting civilian areas violates basic human rights. Rashid further added that the tragic loss of women, children, and young cricketers—who once dreamed of representing their nation globally—must not go unnoticed and should serve as a reminder of the urgent need for peace and justice.
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Rashid Khan stated that in light of the loss of innocent lives, he fully supports the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s decision to withdraw from the upcoming matches against Pakistan. He emphasized that national dignity must take precedence over everything else and expressed solidarity with the people of Afghanistan during this painful time.
Fellow Afghan cricketer Fazalhaq Farooqi also voiced his sorrow on social media, condemning the Pakistani airstrike as a brutal and unforgivable act that claimed the lives of innocent civilians and domestic players. Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi added that the tragedy was not just a loss for Paktika province but for the entire Afghan cricketing community and the nation as a whole.
Kabul
At least three Afghan cricketers lost their lives in a Pakistani airstrike in Afghanistan’s Paktika province. According to the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), the players had travelled from Urgun to Sharana, near the Pakistan border, to participate in a friendly match when the tragic incident occurred.
The ACB identified the victims as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, adding that five other individuals were also killed in the attack. The board stated that after the players returned home to Urgun, they were targeted during a local gathering in what it described as “a cowardly assault carried out by the Pakistani regime.” In the wake of the tragedy, Afghanistan announced its withdrawal from next month’s tri-nation series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka, calling it a gesture of respect toward the victims.
“The Afghanistan Cricket Board expresses its deepest sorrow and grief over the tragic martyrdom of the brave cricketers from Urgun District in Paktika Province, who were targeted this evening in a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.” ABC said in a post on X.
Cricketers Mourn Deaths
Afghanistan’s T20 captain Rashid Khan strongly condemned the recent Pakistani airstrikes that killed civilians and young cricketers, welcoming the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s (ACB) decision to withdraw from the upcoming friendly series. In a post on X, he expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, which claimed the lives of women, children, and aspiring cricketers who dreamed of representing Afghanistan on the global stage.
Khan described the attacks as “immoral and barbaric,” emphasizing that targeting civilian infrastructure is a grave violation of human rights that must not go unnoticed. He added that national dignity must come before all else and voiced solidarity with the Afghan people during this difficult time. Fellow cricketers also expressed grief, with Mohammad Nabi calling the incident a loss for the entire Afghan cricket family, while Fazalhaq Farooqi condemned it as a heinous and unforgivable crime against innocent civilians and domestic players.
Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Clashes
According to Afghan media reports, Pakistan carried out a series of airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province on Friday, with Kabul accusing Islamabad of violating the fragile ceasefire between the two neighboring countries.
Tolo News cited sources saying that the strikes targeted residential areas in the Urgun and Barmal districts, resulting in significant civilian casualties. The attacks occurred during a 48-hour ceasefire agreed upon after days of intense cross-border clashes. Pakistan had requested an extension of the truce until the end of ongoing Doha negotiations aimed at reducing tensions and preventing further violence. Kabul reportedly agreed, extending the ceasefire until the talks conclude, which are scheduled to begin on Saturday.