The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) claimed that three domestic cricketers were killed in a Pakistani airstrike in Paktika.
The fighting has cost lives on both sides, which led to a short-lived ceasefire that was broken later after Afghanistan allegedly carried out an airstrike in Afghanistan’s Paktika Province, hitting the residential areas in Argun and Bermal districts.
In response, the Afghanistan Board has announced the cancellation of a tri-series against Sri Lanka, which was scheduled to be held in Lahore and Rawalpindi.
“In this heartbreaking incident, three players (Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon), alongside five other fellow countrymen from Urgun District, were martyred, and seven others were injured. The players had earlier travelled to Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, to participate in a friendly cricket match. After returning home to Urgun, they were targeted during a gathering,” the ACB said in a statement.
Statement of Condolence
The Afghanistan Cricket Board expresses its deepest sorrow and grief over 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.
In… pic.twitter.com/YkenImtuVR
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) October 17, 2025
“The ACB considers this a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family. The ACB also extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the bereaved families of the martyrs and to the people of Paktika Province,” it added.
They have also withdrawn from the Tri-series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka to be played between November 5 and 29.
“In response to this tragic incident and as a gesture of respect to the victims, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to withdraw from participating in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan,” it said.
Afghanistan T20I captain Rashid Khan has condemned the airstrikes and backed the ACB’s decision.
He went on to call the attacks as ‘immoral and barbaric’ and added that “unjust and unlawful actions represent a grave violation of human rights and must not go unnoticed.”
“In light of the precious innocent souls lost, I welcome the ACB’s decision of withdrawing from upcoming fixtures against Pakistan. I stand with our people at this difficult time. Our national dignity must come before all else,” he added.
