In the wake of recent airstrikes in Afghanistan's Paktika province, allegedly carried out by Pakistan, prominent Afghan cricketers Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib have voiced their grief and condemnation. The airstrikes, which reportedly targeted residential areas, resulted in the deaths of several civilians, including three domestic cricketers: Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed the deaths and announced its decision to withdraw from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka, which was scheduled to be held in Pakistan in late November. The ACB described the incident as a "cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime".
Gulbadin Naib expressed his sorrow on social media, denouncing Pakistan's "cowardly military attack" and calling it a "brutal act". He asserted that such actions would not break the spirit of the Afghan people. Mohammad Nabi echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the tragedy's impact on the entire Afghan cricket family and the nation. Fazalhaq Farooqi, another Afghan international cricketer, described the incident as a "heinous, unforgivable crime". Rashid Khan, the Afghanistan cricket team captain, also condemned the "barbaric" airstrikes.
According to the ACB, the three cricketers were from Urgun district in Paktika Province. They had traveled to Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, to participate in a friendly cricket match and were targeted upon their return home. The ACB conveyed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Paktika Province, acknowledging the significant loss to Afghanistan's sports community.
Reports indicate that the airstrikes resulted in a high number of civilian casualties, with women and children among the deceased. Local Afghan officials stated that the air raids directly struck civilian homes. According to Tolo News, the head of Public Health in Spin Boldak reported 40 deaths and 170 injuries.
The incident has sharply escalated tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Pakistani military has not yet commented on the airstrikes. The reported attacks mark a breach of the recent ceasefire agreement between the two countries.
