The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has expressed deep sorrow and outrage following a deadly attack in Urgun District of Paktika Province that claimed the lives of three cricketers and several civilians.
According to an official statement, the ACB confirmed that Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, along with five other residents of Urgun, were martyred in what the Board described as a “cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.” Seven others sustained injuries in the assault.
The victims had reportedly traveled to Sharana, the provincial capital, to participate in a friendly cricket match and were attacked upon returning home.
“The ACB considers this a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family,” the statement read. “We extend our deepest condolences and solidarity to the bereaved families of the martyrs and to the people of Paktika Province.”
ACB Withdraws from Tri-Nation T20I Series
As a mark of respect and protest, the ACB announced its decision to withdraw from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan, which was scheduled to be held in late November.
“May Allah (SWT) grant the martyrs the highest ranks in Jannah, bless the injured with a speedy recovery, and grant their families patience and strength during this time of immense grief,” the Board added.
Afghan cricketers have taken to social media to express their grief and anger over the killings.
Fazal Haq Farooqi, Afghanistan’s fast bowler, wrote:
“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 honor — it is the deepest disgrace. Long live Afghanistan!”
Zia Urahman Akbar echoed similar sentiments, condemning the attack and mourning the slain athletes.
Meanwhile, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar described the tragedy as a “humanitarian disaster,” writing:
“Several players from Afghanistan’s domestic cricket and innocent civilians have fallen victim to a brutal attack by oppressors. This heartbreaking tragedy has no religious, moral, or human justification. Our deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs.”
Despite reports that Pakistan and Afghanistan had mutually agreed on Friday to extend their 48-hour ceasefire until the conclusion of planned talks in Doha, the truce was shattered by the latest airstrikes in Paktika.
According to three Pakistani security officials and one Afghan Taliban source quoted by international media, a Pakistani delegation had already arrived in Doha, while an Afghan delegation was expected to reach the Qatari capital on Saturday. However, Afghan officials accused Pakistan of breaking the ceasefire through renewed cross-border attacks that killed several civilians and athletes in Urgun District.
