Despite ceasefire, Pakistan has carried out an airstrike in Afghanistan. At least 10 people, including 3 Afghan cricketers, were killed in this sudden attack on Friday, October 17. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has confirmed three Afghani domestic cricketers were killed in airstrikes carried out by Pakistan in the Paktika province on Friday. The strikes were carried out by Pakistan in the southeastern region of Afghanistan, just hours after a two-day ceasefire between the both Asian neighbours came to an end.

In Afghanistan, at least ten civilians were killed and a dozen more were injured last night after Pakistan launched air strike on a border province of Paktika, breaking a ceasefire that had brought two days of calm to the border.

ACB condemns ‘cowardly’ act by Pakistan

The three deceased cricketers identified by the Afghanistan Cricket Board are Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah and Haroon. All three are local cricketers. It is learned that they were returning from Urgun in Paktika province to Sharana after playing a friendly match when they were martyred in the Pakistani airstrike along with five civilians.

The ACB has called this attack by Pakistan ‘cowardly’. Along with this, Afghanistan has also withdrawn its name from the tri-nation series to be held in Pakistan next month, confirming the speculation. In the tournament Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka were supposed to face each other. The tri-Nation T20I Series was scheduled in November.

The ACB stated that it considers this a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family. The ACB also extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the bereaved families of the martyrs and to the people of Paktika Province.

Statement of Condolence issued by Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB)

In a Statement of Condolence issued on social media, the ACB wrote: “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.

In this heartbreaking incident, three players (Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon) alongside 5 other fellow countrymen from Urgun District were martyred, and seven others were injured. The players had earlier traveled to Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, to participate in a friendly cricket match. After returning home to Urgun, they were targeted during a gathering.

The ACB considers this a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family. The ACB also extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the bereaved families of the martyrs and to the people of Paktika Province.

In response of this tragic incident and 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, scheduled to be played in late November.

May Allah (SWT) grant the martyrs the highest ranks in Jannah, bless the injured with a speedy recovery, and grant their families patience, reward, and strength during this time of immense grief.”

Afghan cricketer Rashid Khan reacts

The strikes in southeastern Afghanistan came hours after Pakistani officials said that a suicide car bomber backed by the Pakistani Taliban attacked a compound of security forces near the border, killing several people in the area. The attack in Mir Ali, a city in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, also triggered an intense shootout that left at least six militants and one soldier dead, police said. A faction of the Pakistani Taliban headed by Hafiz Gul Bahadur claimed responsibility for the suicide attack in Mir Ali, local police said.

Afghan cricketer Rashid Khan has vented his anger on social media in protest against this ‘barbaric’ attack by Pakistan.

He wrote in an X post: “I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes on Afghanistan. A tragedy that claimed the lives of women, children, and aspiring young cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation on the world stage.

It is absolutely immoral and barbaric to target civilian infrastructure. These unjust and unlawful actions represent a grave violation of human rights and must not go unnoticed. In light of the precious innocent souls lost, I welcome the ACB’s decision of withdrawing from upcoming fixtures against Pakistan. I stand with our people at this difficult time, our national dignity must come before all else.”

Upcoming tri-nation series

A tri-nation tournament between Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan was supposed to be held from November 5. The matches were supposed to be held in Pakistan. In the meantime, the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict had raised the question of whether this tournament would take place at all. The Pakistan Cricket Board had already started looking for an alternative way in advance.

PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi even approached the ICC. Putting an end to speculations, Afghanistan has cancelled the tri-nation series in protest against Pakistan’s airstrikes. India has already cornered Pakistan in the cricket world. Now, Afghanistan also boycotts them.

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