AI Generated Summary
- In a devastating escalation along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border, at least three Afghan cricketers were killed in a Pakistani airstrike that hit residential areas in Afghanistan’s Paktika province on Friday evening.
- The ACB described the incident as a “cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime” and declared a national day of mourning for the victims.
- The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed the deaths of Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon — domestic-level players from the Urgun district — among at least eight civilians killed in the bombardment.
In a devastating escalation along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border, at least three Afghan cricketers were killed in a Pakistani airstrike that hit residential areas in Afghanistan’s Paktika province on Friday evening. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed the deaths of Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon — domestic-level players from the Urgun district — among at least eight civilians killed in the bombardment.
ACB Condemns “Cowardly Attack”
According to the ACB, the players had travelled from Urgun to Sharana for a friendly match. Upon returning home, their gathering was struck by Pakistani fighter jets targeting border settlements. The ACB described the incident as a “cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime” and declared a national day of mourning for the victims. The board also announced that Afghanistan would withdraw from the upcoming tri-nation T20I series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka scheduled for November, calling the decision a gesture of respect for the deceased.
Growing Outrage in Afghanistan
Prominent Afghan cricketers, including national team captain Rashid Khan and senior all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, condemned the strikes in strong terms. Rashid described the assault as “immoral and barbaric,” urging the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for killing civilians and athletes. Fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi labeled the attack an “unforgivable crime,” while social media across Afghanistan erupted in mourning under hashtags such as #JusticeForPaktikaCricketers and #StopPakAggression.
Escalating Border Hostilities
The incident marks a fresh deterioration in ties between Islamabad and Kabul following months of rising tensions over cross-border militant sanctuaries. Pakistani authorities have not commented publicly on the strike, which reportedly violated a ceasefire hours before planned Doha peace talks. Afghan officials accused Islamabad of deliberately targeting civilians to pressure the Taliban-led government on counterterrorism cooperation.
Remembering the Fallen
The three young players were considered future prospects for Afghanistan’s domestic circuit. Kabeer (Kabir Agha), known for his aggressive top-order play, was expected to join the under-23 provincial camp next year. Sibghatullah was admired for his fast bowling skills, while Haroon had represented his local district club since 2022.
As funeral prayers were held in Paktika’s Urgun district, thousands attended to pay tribute to the slain athletes — symbols of Afghanistan’s resilience and sporting pride amid decades of conflict. The ACB pledged financial support for their families and vowed to campaign for accountability through international sporting bodies including the ICC.
The tragedy has cast a pall over South Asian cricket diplomacy, with analysts warning that the airstrike could derail ongoing efforts to use sport as a bridge for regional peace.
