3 Afghan Cricketers KILLED in Pakistani Airstrike Near Border, Nation in Shock

At least three Afghan cricketers lost their lives in an airstrike carried out by Pakistan in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, according to the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). The players, who had travelled to Sharana for a friendly match, were reportedly struck after returning to their hometown in Urgun.

The ACB identified the players as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, confirming that several others were also killed in the incident. The board expressed sorrow over the deaths and described the attack as an assault on innocent civilians.

ACB Cancels Series With Pakistan and Sri Lanka

In response to the tragedy, the Afghanistan Cricket Board announced its withdrawal from the upcoming tri-nation series that was to feature Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The move, the board said, was a mark of solidarity and mourning for the victims. Officials stated that cricket could not continue as usual while young athletes were being targeted during peaceful gatherings.

The ACB shared a statement expressing grief and calling the attack “cowardly.” It urged for accountability and said Afghan cricket stands united in pain and protest. The incident has stirred widespread anger across the Afghan cricketing community, with calls for justice echoing online.

Rashid Khan Leads Emotional Reaction From Players

Afghanistan’s T20 captain Rashid Khan condemned the airstrikes and the loss of civilian lives, calling the situation devastating for families and for the nation’s young sporting talent. He said targeting non-combatants and residential areas was inhumane and that such actions violated fundamental human rights.

Khan also backed the ACB’s decision to pull out of upcoming matches against Pakistan, saying that the nation’s pride and dignity must come before cricket. He urged the international community to acknowledge the severity of the attack and stand with Afghanistan during what he described as an extremely painful moment.

Other Cricketers Join in Condemnation

Several Afghan cricketers joined Khan in expressing outrage. Senior player Mohammad Nabi said the deaths had shaken the country’s cricket fraternity and that the loss went beyond the sport, striking at the spirit of national unity.

Fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi called the assault on civilians and domestic players a shameful act, describing it as something that could not be justified under any circumstance. Social media platforms were flooded with messages of mourning from both players and fans, many of whom shared photos of the slain athletes.

Strikes Violate Fragile Ceasefire

Afghan media outlets reported that Pakistan conducted multiple air raids in the Urgun and Barmal districts of Paktika, hitting residential areas. The timing of the strikes has drawn particular scrutiny since they came during a temporary ceasefire that was meant to hold for 48 hours after several days of border clashes.

Reports suggested that the truce was initially extended to allow peace negotiations in Doha to continue. However, the renewed violence has cast a shadow over those talks, with Kabul accusing Islamabad of breaching the agreement. Sources said that civilian deaths from the airstrikes have further deepened distrust between the two sides.

Uncertain Future for Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations

The attack has once again strained relations between Kabul and Islamabad, both of which have struggled to maintain stability along their shared border. The incident also threatens to undo recent diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing military tensions.

Observers say that the cancellation of cricket ties, often seen as a bridge between nations, marks a serious symbolic rupture. While Pakistan has not officially commented on the ACB’s decision, the move is being viewed as a strong statement from Afghanistan’s sporting establishment.

For now, grief and anger dominate the public mood in Afghanistan. Vigils are being held for the victims, and tributes continue to pour in from across the cricketing world. The loss of young players, who once dreamed of representing their country internationally, has underscored the human cost of the ongoing conflict.

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