Tragic Airstrike Kills Afghan Cricketers Near Pakistan Border

Paktika, Afghanistan — In a tragic incident on October 18, 2025, three Afghan cricketers were among eight people killed in an airstrike carried out by Pakistani forces in eastern Afghanistan’s Paktika province. The victims, identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, were traveling home from a friendly cricket match in Sharana when they were struck.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) responded strongly, calling the attack a “cowardly” act by the Pakistani regime. They expressed deep sorrow for the loss of the cricketers and described the event as a targeted assault on innocent lives during a local gathering.

In addition to the cricketers, five civilians also lost their lives in the airstrike. The ACB indicated their intention to withdraw from an upcoming tri-nation cricket series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka as a sign of respect for the victims.

Afghanistan’s T20 team captain Rashid Khan condemned the airstrikes on social media, mourning the loss of lives and supporting the ACB’s decision. He described the attack as “immoral and barbaric,” emphasizing that the targeting of civilians is a violation of human rights that must not be overlooked.

Another Afghan cricket player, Mohammad Nabi, labeled the incident a “national tragedy,” stressing that it impacts not just Paktika but the entire cricket community in Afghanistan. Pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi condemned the killings, calling it a “heinous and unforgivable crime.”

According to Afghan media reports, the airstrike violated a fragile ceasefire arrangement between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which had been brokered to mitigate rising tensions from cross-border skirmishes. Local news outlets revealed that residential areas in Urgun and Barmal districts were the targets of these strikes, resulting in numerous civilian deaths.

This incident occurred despite Pakistan’s previous proposal to extend a truce until negotiations in Doha concluded. Earlier, public discussions between the two nations had taken a positive turn, but the resurgence of violence may further complicate future relations.

The aftermath of this tragedy has amplified calls for accountability and a renewed focus on the protection of innocent lives amidst the ongoing conflict. The strife between Pakistan and Afghanistan continues to escalate, highlighting urgent humanitarian concerns in the region. As the world watches, the fate of the cricket community in Afghanistan hangs in the balance.