In a devastating turn of events, three Afghan cricketers were killed during a Pakistan air strike in Paktika Province, Afghanistan, leading the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to cancel their participation in the upcoming T20I tri-nation series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The tragic incident occurred in Urgun District, as the players were returning from Sharana after a friendly cricket match.
According to the ACB, the players — Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon — lost their lives when a gathering was targeted shortly after their return. In total, eight Afghan civilians, including the three cricketers, were killed, and seven others were injured.
ACB Mourns the Loss and Withdraws from Pakistan Tour
The Afghanistan Cricket Board expressed deep sorrow over the incident, labeling it a great loss not only for Afghan cricket but for the nation’s broader sporting community. In their official statement, the ACB said:
“In this heartbreaking incident, three players (Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon) alongside five other fellow countrymen from Urgun District were martyred… As a gesture of respect to the victims, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to withdraw from participating in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan.”
The tri-series was scheduled for late November, with Afghanistan slated to face Pakistan and Sri Lanka. However, the ACB has made it clear that under the current circumstances, participating in the series is neither appropriate nor feasible.
Rashid Khan Supports ACB’s Decision
Afghanistan’s star spinner and T20I captain, Rashid Khan, took to social media to condemn the attack and voice his support for the ACB’s decision. In a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter), he expressed:
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes… including aspiring young cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation.”
He added that targeting civilians was “absolutely immoral and barbaric” and urged the global community not to overlook such violations of human rights. Rashid welcomed the board’s decision to withdraw from the series, emphasizing that “national dignity must come before all else.”
Rising Tensions Between Afghanistan and Pakistan
This incident has further escalated already strained relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The tensions began worsening around October 11, when Afghan forces allegedly launched attacks on several Pakistani military posts. In response, Pakistan reportedly carried out aerial strikes in residential areas of Paktika Province, near the Durand Line, resulting in civilian casualties.
With innocent lives lost on both sides, the region stands on fragile ground. This tragedy not only reflects the worsening geopolitical situation but also highlights how sports and innocent lives are being caught in the crossfire.
