Tragic Airstrike in Afghanistan Kills Three Young Cricketers, Civilians Amid Border Tensions
Kabul – At least three Afghan cricketers were killed in an airstrike in Paktika province, Afghanistan. The players, identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, had traveled from Urgun to Sharana in eastern Paktika to participate in a friendly cricket match. The attack also claimed the lives of five other civilians.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) described the incident as a “cowardly attack,” confirming that the cricketers were targeted after returning home to Urgun during a local gathering. No further details about the circumstances of the airstrike have been released.
In response to the tragedy, Afghanistan withdrew from a scheduled tri-nation cricket series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka next month, citing respect for the victims. The ACB expressed “deepest sorrow and grief over the loss of brave cricketers from Urgun District in Paktika Province.”
Afghanistan’s T20 captain, Rashid Khan, condemned the strikes, highlighting the loss of civilian lives, including women, children, and aspiring young cricketers. He described the targeting of civilian infrastructure as “immoral and barbaric” and welcomed the board’s decision to withdraw from the series, emphasizing the importance of national dignity.
Other members of the Afghan cricket community expressed similar grief. International players Mohammad Nabi and Fazalhaq Farooqi described the airstrike as a “tragedy” and “heinous, unforgivable crime” against innocent civilians and domestic cricket players.
The strikes occurred amid heightened tensions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Reports indicate that residential areas in Urgun and Barmal districts were targeted, resulting in significant civilian casualties. Afghan authorities accused Pakistan of violating a fragile ceasefire agreement that had been in place for 48 hours following days of cross-border clashes.
Local communities in Paktika have expressed fear over the growing frequency of aerial attacks, which disrupt daily life and access to basic services. The loss of the young cricketers, who had shown promise to represent Afghanistan internationally, has sparked concerns about the impact of regional conflicts on sports and youth development.
Afghanistan’s withdrawal from the upcoming tri-nation series underscores the wider implications of border tensions on sports diplomacy. While avoiding immediate interaction with Pakistan on the cricket field, the decision highlights how geopolitical conflicts can influence international sporting events.
Authorities in both countries have yet to release detailed statements clarifying the circumstances of the airstrikes. The incident has drawn widespread attention, with calls for restraint and protection of civilian lives amid ongoing border conflicts.
The tragic deaths of the Afghan cricketers have left a lasting impact on the nation, highlighting both the human cost of regional tensions and the vulnerability of civilians caught in conflict zones.
