The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and several national players have strongly condemned Pakistan’s airstrike on civilians — including cricket players — in the Urgun district of southeastern Paktika province.
In a statement, the board said: “The ACB expresses its deepest sorrow and grief over the tragic martyrdom of the brave cricketers from Urgun district in Paktika province, who were targeted on Friday evening in a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.”
According to the ACB, three players — Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon — along with five other compatriots were martyred, and seven others wounded in the incident. Some sources, however, reported a higher casualty toll.
The statement added that the players had earlier travelled to Sharana, the provincial capital, to participate in a friendly cricket match. After returning home to Urgun, they were targeted while resting together.
The ACB described the attack as a great loss for Afghanistan’s sporting community, its athletes and the wider cricketing family. It extended heartfelt condolences and solidarity to the bereaved families of the martyrs and to the people of Paktika province.
In response to the tragedy and as a gesture of respect to the victims, the ACB announced its decision to withdraw from the upcoming tri-nation T20I series featuring Pakistan Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, which was scheduled for late November.
Several national players also voiced outrage and sorrow over the incident.
Afghanistan’s T20 captain and star leg-spinner Rashid Khan wrote on X: “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.”
Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi said: “The news of the martyrdom of the brave cricketers from Paktika’s Urgun district is extremely heartbreaking. These young athletes were targeted in a brutal attack by the Pakistani military regime after a friendly cricket match.
This incident is not only a tragedy for Paktika but for the entire Afghan cricket family and the nation as a whole. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of these innocent players, my friends, and the people of Paktika.”
Afghanistan’s ODI and Test Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi wrote: “I received the painful news that three promising domestic cricketers were martyred in an atrocious bombing by the Pakistani regime in Urgun, Paktika. This is a tragic day for their families, the nation, and the sports community. They symbolised peace, pride, and the light of our nation through bat and ball — but their bright lives have been overshadowed by darkness.”
Senior player Gulbadin Naib added: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the brutal and cowardly attack on innocent civilians in Urgun, Paktika, which claimed the lives of young cricketers and other citizens.
This strike is a blatant violation of humanity and Islamic principles and an affront to Afghanistan’s sovereignty, dignity, and national pride. The Pakistani army’s savage acts will never weaken the Afghan nation; instead, they will strengthen the patriotic spirit of our brave youth.”
kk/sa
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