A horrifying aerial strike carried out by Pakistan on Saturday resulted in the deaths of eight civilians, including three promising young Afghan cricketers. The victims from the cricket community were identified as Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah, and Haroon.
In a powerful act of protest and grief, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) promptly announced its withdrawal from an upcoming tri-nation series. This series, originally scheduled to feature Pakistan and Sri Lanka from November 17 to 29, was to be hosted in Pakistan.
The tragic event unfolded less than 48 hours after a recent ceasefire agreement between Afghanistan and Pakistan, raising serious concerns about the stability of relations between the two nations. This development is expected to exacerbate existing tensions between these Asian Cricket Council members, which were already strained after recent events involving India and Pakistan during the Men’s Asia Cup.
Kabeer Agha was a dynamic top-order batsman, known for his aggressive style. He was on the brink of selection for the prestigious Under-23 provincial camp, a testament to his burgeoning talent. Kabeer had already made a name for himself, playing for various regional clubs in domestic leagues and actively participating in youth tournaments organized by the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s southern committee.
From the Paktika region, Sibghatullah was a medium-pace bowler who represented the Urgun Warriors in local tournaments officially sanctioned by the ACB. His natural leadership qualities were evident and quickly recognized after his breakout performance in the previous year’s Paktika Premier League.
Haroon, another promising talent, was making significant strides as an all-rounder in Afghanistan’s domestic cricket circuit. He meticulously balanced his cricket ambitions with his college education. On the field, he was a right-handed batsman and bowled orthodox off-spin, consistently delivering strong performances in local T20 and tape-ball tournaments.
The brutal attack has ignited a wave of strong condemnation and heartfelt reactions from Afghanistan’s international cricket players.
National team captain Rashid Khan publicly denounced the strike as “barbaric,” while several other prominent players expressed their outrage and grief across social media platforms.
Mohammed Nabi, a revered former captain and influential figure in Afghan cricket, articulated the profound sorrow felt across the nation, stating, “This incident is not only a tragedy for Paktika but for the entire Afghan cricket family and the nation as a whole.”
Gulbadan Naib, another key player, expressed deep sorrow and defiance, writing, “We are deeply saddened by the cowardly military attack in Argun, Paktika, that martyred innocent civilians and fellow cricketers. This brutal act by the Pakistan army is an assault on our people, pride and independence but it will never break the Afghan spirit.”
Pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi also voiced his condemnation in strong terms, posting, “The massacre of innocent civilians and our domestic cricket players by these oppressors is a heinous, unforgivable crime. May Almighty Allah grant the martyrs the highest place in Paradise, humiliate the perpetrators, and subject them to His wrath. The killing of players and civilians is not honour — it is the deepest disgrace.”