Afghanistan players shame Pakistan on civilian airstrikes:3 club cricketers lost their lives in the attack, AFG withdraws from T20I series as protest

Afghanistan cricketers condemned the loss of lives, including three cricketers, in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes on Afghanistan. Afghanistan Captain Rashid Khan lashed out at Pakistan and stated that such “unjust” and “unlawful actions” constitute a “grave violation” of human rights. Notably, Pakistan conducted a series of airstrikes in Afghanistan’s southeastern Paktika province. It marked a breach of the recent ceasefire agreement between the two neighbouring countries, as per Tolo News. Notably, as per local media reports, PAK forces targeted residential areas in the Urgun and Barmal districts of the country, causing significant civilian casualties. The prominent cricketers, including Rashid Khan and Fazalhaq Farooqi, were the first ones to openly criticise the issue. ‘It is absolutely immoral and barbaric’: Rashid Khan on civilian casualties In his X post, Rashid shamed the attack, “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.” Assault on our people: All-rounder Gulbadin Naib All-rounder Gulbadin Naib condemned the attack in a post on X, mentioning that the brutal attacks are an assault on people and the pride of Afghanistan. ‘The killing of players and civilians is not honour’: Fazalhaq Farooqi Seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi in an X post, wrote, “The massacre of innocent civilians and our domestic cricket players by these oppressors is a heinous, unforgivable crime. …The killing of players and civilians is not honour — it is the deepest disgrace. Long live Afghanistan!” Afghanistan Cricket Board cancelled T20I series vs Pakistan Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Saturday expressed profound grief over the killing of three Afghan cricketers and announced its withdrawal from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I series involving Pakistan. “In response of this tragic incident and as a gesture of respect to the victims, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to withdraw from participating in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan, scheduled to be played in late November,” the statement read. The board confirmed that the players, identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, were among eight people killed in the airstrike in the Urgun district. Seven others were reportedly injured.