Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has voiced profound sorrow following the tragic deaths of three young Afghan cricketers in recent Pakistani airstrikes. Amidst the shock that has rippled through the cricketing world, Yuvraj delivered a poignant message emphasizing peace and unity.
“Heartfelt condolences to the families of the young #Afghanistan cricketers who lost their lives in the recent attack. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time. May their memories inspire peace & unity,” Yuvraj shared on social media platform X.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) officially confirmed the devastating news on Friday. The three domestic players were killed in an airstrike near the Pakistan border. In response to this horrific event, Afghanistan has decided to withdraw from next month’s planned tri-nation series, which was to include Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
According to the ACB, the players were returning home to Urgun in eastern Paktika province, after participating in a friendly match in Sharana, also near the border. They were tragically targeted during a gathering, an act the board condemned as a “cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.”
The victims were identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon. The airstrike also claimed the lives of five other individuals. The ACB described these losses as a “great blow to Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family,” extending their deepest condolences and solidarity to the bereaved families. Their decision to pull out of the tri-series serves as a profound “gesture of respect to the victims.”
Afghanistan’s captain, Rashid Khan, also took to social media to express his grief: “I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes on Afghanistan… aspiring young cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation on the world stage.”
He further supported the ACB’s decision, stating, “In light of the precious innocent souls lost, I welcome the ACB’s decision of withdrawing from upcoming fixtures against Pakistan.” Other prominent cricketers, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mohammad Nabi, joined in the condemnation, labeling the attack an “unforgivable crime” and a “tragedy for the entire Afghan cricket family.”