Rashid Khan, Afghan cricketers condemn Pakistan’s airstrikes after three players killed in Paktika
Kabul: Afghan cricketers have strongly condemned the loss of innocent lives — including three domestic players — in Pakistan’s recent aerial strikes on Afghanistan’s Paktika province. Captain Rashid Khan denounced the attacks as “unjust,” “unlawful,” and a “grave violation of human rights.”
“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 young cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation on the world stage,” Rashid wrote on X.
He added, “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. I support the ACB’s decision to withdraw from the upcoming fixtures against Pakistan — national dignity must come before all else.”
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Saturday confirmed the deaths of three Afghan cricketers — Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon — in the Urgun district airstrike, which also left seven others injured. The board announced its decision to withdraw from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I series involving Pakistan, scheduled for late November, as a mark of respect to the victims.
“All-rounder Gulbadin Naib called the attack a ‘cowardly military assault’ on Afghan pride and independence, adding that it would ‘never break the Afghan spirit.’”
Pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi also condemned the incident, writing, “The massacre of innocent civilians and our domestic cricket players by these oppressors is an unforgivable crime. May Allah grant the martyrs the highest place in Paradise and punish the perpetrators. Killing civilians is no honor — it is a disgrace.”
According to Tolo News, Pakistan carried out a series of airstrikes in Paktika’s Urgun and Barmal districts on Friday, breaching a recently established ceasefire between the two nations. The attacks reportedly targeted residential areas, leading to significant civilian casualties.
The strikes came amid a 48-hour ceasefire agreement between Afghanistan and Pakistan, following days of cross-border clashes. Pakistan had earlier requested that the truce be extended until the conclusion of ongoing peace talks in Doha, which were set to resume on Saturday.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office confirmed the temporary ceasefire, stating that both sides had agreed to make “sincere efforts to find a positive solution through constructive dialogue.” Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid said Afghan forces were instructed to respect the truce “unless any aggression takes place.”
