In a heartbreaking incident, 3 Afghan cricketers were killed in a Pakistani airstrike in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed. The victims, identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, had travelled from Urgun to Sharana to play a friendly match before returning home — only to be caught in the deadly bombing. The ACB condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly assault carried out by the Pakistani regime.” The tragedy has deeply shaken the nation and the global cricket community.
ACB Condemns the Attack
The ACB announced Afghanistan’s withdrawal from the upcoming tri-nation series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka as a mark of respect. In a post on X, the board expressed “deep sorrow and grief over the tragic martyrdom of brave cricketers from Urgun district.” The decision reflects both national mourning and strong condemnation of the attack that claimed innocent lives.
Statement of Condolence
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) October 17, 2025
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… pic.twitter.com/YkenImtuVR
Cricketers Express Anger and Grief
Afghanistan T20 captain Rashid Khan expressed his heartbreak on X, calling the 3 Afghan cricketers killed incident “immoral and barbaric.” He said, “The loss of young talents who dreamed of representing their nation is unbearable. Such unlawful actions violate human rights and cannot go unnoticed.” Rashid also supported ACB’s decision to pull out of the series, adding, “Our national dignity must come before all else.”
Veteran player Mohammad Nabi called the strike “a tragedy for the entire Afghan cricket family,” while fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi termed it “a heinous, unforgivable crime.” Their posts have gone viral, drawing global sympathy for Afghanistan’s cricket fraternity.
Tensions Along the Afghanistan-Pakistan Border
Afghan outlet Tolo News reported that Pakistani airstrikes hit residential areas in Urgun and Barmal districts, killing civilians and breaching the ongoing ceasefire between the two countries. The 3 Afghan cricketers killed were among those caught in the blasts, which occurred just hours after both nations agreed to a 48-hour truce ahead of Doha peace talks.
The devastating airstrike has once again highlighted the fragile relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan, even as the world calls for restraint and accountability.
FAQs
Q: What happened in the attack where 3 Afghan cricketers were killed?
A: A Pakistani airstrike in Paktika province hit residential areas, killing three local cricketers and several civilians.
Q: Which players were among the 3 Afghan cricketers killed?
A: The victims were identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon from Urgun district.
Q: How did the Afghanistan Cricket Board respond?
A: The ACB withdrew from the tri-nation series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka to honor the 3 Afghan cricketers killed.
Q: What did Rashid Khan say about the tragedy?
A: Rashid Khan called the attack “immoral and barbaric,” urging global attention to the violation of human rights.
