In a devastating announcement on Friday, October 17, 2025, the Afghan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed that Afghanistan would be withdrawing from next month’s tri-nation cricket series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This difficult decision comes after a brutal attack tragically killed three local cricketers.
The ACB revealed that the players were targeted during a gathering in Sharana, eastern Paktika province, near the Pakistan border, shortly after participating in a friendly match and returning home to Urgun. The board explicitly labeled the incident as “a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime”.
The three fallen cricketers were identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon. Tragically, five other individuals also lost their lives in this senseless act of violence.
While the ACB provided no further immediate details on the attack, they expressed profound sorrow, calling it “a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family.” They extended their deepest condolences and unwavering solidarity to the grieving families.
The withdrawal from the upcoming tri-series stands as a solemn gesture of respect for the victims and their families.
The incident quickly drew strong reactions from the Afghan cricket community. International cricketer Fazalhaq Farooqi powerfully stated on Facebook, “The massacre of innocent civilians and our domestic cricket players by these oppressors is a heinous, unforgivable crime.” Fellow international player Mohammad Nabi echoed this sentiment, adding, “This incident is not only a tragedy for Paktika but for the entire Afghan cricket family and the nation as a whole.”