The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has officially named the three cricketers who tragically died in an attack near the Pakistan border in eastern Paktika province.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has confirmed the devastating news of three cricketers, Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, who were tragically killed in an attack in Afghanistan’s eastern Paktika province, near the border with Pakistan. The young players had journeyed from Urgun to Sharana, the provincial capital, to participate in a friendly cricket match, a simple act of sporting camaraderie that ended in horrific violence.
Tragically, upon their return home, they became targets during a gathering. The ACB unequivocally condemned this act, describing it as “a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.”
The attack claimed not only the lives of the three cricketers but also five other individuals, leaving seven more injured in its wake.
The ACB expressed profound grief, calling the incident “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 and the resilient people of Paktika province.
As a poignant response to this heartbreaking event and a gesture of profound respect for the victims, the ACB declared Afghanistan’s withdrawal from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series, which was slated for late November and included Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
In an official statement, the Afghanistan Cricket Board conveyed its immense sorrow, mourning “the tragic martyrdom of the brave cricketers from Urgun District in Paktika Province, who were targeted this evening in a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.” The statement confirmed the deaths of Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, along with 5 other fellow countrymen, and seven injured. Reaffirming their stance, the ACB reiterated the attack as “a great loss” and extended prayers for the deceased and injured, emphasizing their decision to withdraw from the Tri-Nation T20I Series as a sign of respect, stating: “May Allah (SWT) grant the martyrs the highest ranks in Jannah, bless the injured with a speedy recovery, and grant their families patience, reward, and strength during this time of immense grief.”
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan took to social media to voice his deep sorrow: “I am profoundly saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes on Afghanistan. This tragedy claimed the lives of women, children, and aspiring young cricketers who dreamt of representing their nation globally. Targeting civilian infrastructure is utterly immoral and barbaric. Such unjust and unlawful actions constitute a grave violation of human rights and demand immediate attention.” He further endorsed the ACB’s decision: “Considering the precious innocent souls lost, I fully support the ACB’s choice to withdraw from upcoming matches against Pakistan. Our national dignity must always come first, and I stand in solidarity with our people during this difficult time.”
Other prominent Afghan cricketers echoed this sentiment. Fazalhaq Farooqi denounced the act as “a heinous, unforgivable crime,” and Mohammad Nabi emphasized that “This incident is not only a tragedy for Paktika but for the entire Afghan cricket family and the nation as a whole.”