Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan lashed out at Pakistan after the killing of three local cricketers in airstrikes on civilian areas, calling the attack “absolutely immoral and barbaric”. His remarks came after the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced the team’s withdrawal from the tri-nation series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka next month.
The ACB’s decision follows a series of Pakistani airstrikes along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border that claimed several civilian lives, including three young players. The tri-series, scheduled to be held in Lahore and Rawalpindi from November 5 to 29, is now thrown into limbo. Rashid also issued a statement expressing deep grief over the tragedy and solidarity with the families of the victims.
ACB statement claims this three young cricketers lost their lives during attacks on civilian homes in Paktika province. The Afghanistan Cricket Board said the players had traveled from Urgun to Sharana in eastern Paktika province near the Pakistan border to take part in a friendly match. “After returning home to Urgun, they were targeted by the gathering,” the council said, calling it a “cowardly attack by the Pakistani regime.”
The three players killed were identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon, while five others also lost their lives in the attack. The fighting, which claimed dozens of lives on both sides, resulted in a brief 48-hour ceasefire that was later lifted. Pakistan has reportedly launched airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, targeting residential areas in Argun and Bermal districts along the Durand Line. The Taliban condemned the strikes as a ceasefire violation, even as delegations from both countries were in Doha for talks aimed at de-escalating the crisis.
The ACB did not provide further details, but said it “considers this a great loss to the Afghan sports community, its athletes and the cricket family”, and expressed its “deepest condolences and solidarity to the bereaved families”. The board added that the decision to withdraw from the tri-series next month was made “as a gesture of respect for the victims”.
In a statement on social media, Rashid expressed deep sadness and anger.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in recent Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan,” Rashid wrote. “A tragedy that claimed the lives of women, children and aspiring young cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation on the world stage.”
Rashid was forthright and uncompromising in his criticism of Pakistan’s attacks, urging that “serious human rights violations” be addressed on the international stage. Pakistani airstrikes late on Friday reportedly violated the ceasefire between the two nations and reignited a new wave of border clashes.
“It is absolutely immoral and barbaric to target civilian infrastructure. These unjust and illegal acts represent a serious violation of human rights and must not go unnoticed,” Rashíd continued.
The Afghanistan captain finally backed the ACB’s decision to pull out of the upcoming tri-series to be contested between Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Pakistan next month.
“In light of the precious innocent souls lost, I welcome ACB’s decision to withdraw from the upcoming matches against Pakistan. I stand with our people at this difficult time; our national dignity must come first,” concluded Rashid Khan.
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
October 18, 2025
