Death of 3 Afghan cricketers. (Photo-X)
Military clashes have been going on between Pakistan and Afghanistan for the last few days. The conflict began last week when Islamabad attacked Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) positions in Kabul. However, after the conflict that continued since October 8, a ceasefire was agreed upon on Wednesday evening. But on Friday night Pakistan carried out air strikes on Afghanistan. Pakistani Army carried out air strikes in Paktika province and targeted residential houses, in which many young cricketers also lost their lives.
Death of 3 Afghan cricketers
Pakistani air strikes in Paktika province have deeply saddened the cricket community of Afghanistan. Three local club cricketers were killed in this attack, while four players were injured. The names of these players are Kabir, Sibgatullah and Haroon. Apart from these, 5 more people lost their lives. The incident occurred when the players returned to Argun district after participating in a local tournament in the provincial capital Sharana. The Afghanistan Cricket Board expressed deep sorrow over the loss and described the killed players as ‘grassroots heroes’ of Afghan cricket. At the same time, Afghan star players have strongly condemned this attack.
Statement of Condolences
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.
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) October 17, 2025
Following the death of domestic players in the Paktika air strikes, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has also decided to cancel its participation in the tri-series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This tri-T20 series was to be held in November.
Star players expressed grief
Afghan fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqui condemned the attack in a post on X, writing, ‘The massacre of innocent civilians and our domestic cricket players by these tyrants is a heinous crime. May Allah give the martyrs the highest place in heaven, humiliate the criminals and make them incur His wrath. Killing players and civilians is not an honor, but a grave insult. Long live Afghanistan!’
God bless you all
Civilians and our domestic cricket players were martyred by the tyrants in a crime that is not worth teaching, the martyrs are the great God. May he be blessed with Paradise and may God punish the oppressors with his wrath. It is not the honor of the players and civilians who died, but their extreme poverty!
— fazalhaq farooqi (@fazalfarooqi10) October 17, 2025
Meanwhile, Rashid Khan wrote, ‘I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani air strikes on Afghanistan. A tragedy that took the lives of women, children and young cricketers who dreamed of representing their country on the world stage. Targeting civilian infrastructure is absolutely barbaric. I welcome the ACB’s decision to withdraw from the upcoming matches against Pakistan. I stand with my people in these difficult times, our national dignity must come before all else.
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
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) October 17, 2025