On November 11, unknown assailants opened fire on the wicket of Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah in Lower Dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to PTI, no one was injured.
Many Pakistani players hail from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a region where security forces regularly deal with terrorism-related incidents. The northern regions are also known for long-standing tribal disputes that sometimes result in violence.
Players from this region include Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman. Among the former cricketers, Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul and even Imran Khan hail from this region.
A source close to Naseem Shah confirmed the incident. An insider said local authorities have launched an investigation.
“Naseem and most of his family members now reside in Islamabad, but he has close relatives in Lower Dir who stay at the ancestral home,” PTI quoted a source as saying.
“Naseem then decided to stay with the team, who are playing their first game today,” the insider added.
Naseem Shah now lives in Islamabad with most of his family. However, some of his relatives continue to stay in the ancestral home.
After talking to his family, Naseem was assured that everyone was safe and that the matter was under control. He then decided to stay with the national team for the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.
PAK vs SL ODI
Batting first, Pakistan make 299/5 in 50 overs thanks to Salman Ali Agha’s century. In 15.3 overs, Sri Lanka scored 100/3.
Shaheen Afridi replaced Mohammad Rizwan as Pakistan’s ODI captain. Afridi’s first assignment was against South Africa. Pakistan won the home series 2–1.
Suicide bombing in Islamabad
The Pakistani Taliban (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the 11 November suicide bombing in Islamabad. The attack killed at least 12 people and injured 27.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the casualties. He accused Afghanistan of direct involvement in the attack.
“There was also an attack in Wana last night. Three people died in that attack. The attacker who participated in that attack is an Afghan. Afghanistan is directly involved in that attack,” Naqvi was quoted as saying by AFP.
The attack, the first in the capital in many years, sparked panic as people ran for safety. Broken glass and charred vehicles could be seen outside the district court buildings.
The TTP said it targeted judges, lawyers and officials involved in making decisions under what it called “un-Islamic laws”. She warned of more attacks until Islamic law is implemented.
(Tagtranslate)Afridi Shaheen
