Afghan Cricketers Killed: The tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been steadily rising over the past few days. Military clashes between the two countries began last week when Islamabad attacked Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) bases in Kabul. Although both sides agreed to a ceasefire on Wednesday evening following the conflict that had been ongoing since October 8, Pakistan, being Pakistan, again launched airstrikes on Afghanistan’s Paktika province on Friday night.
Afghanistan Cancels T20 Series With Pakistan
Amid all these tensions between both the countries, Afghanistan has withdrawn from a tri-nation series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka next month in response to the killing of three local cricketers in the attack, which was confirmed by the country’s official cricket board.
Afghan Cricketers Killed In The Attack
These airstrikes not only destroyed the lives of civilians in Afghanistan but also shocked the Afghan sports world. The Pakistani military’s airstrikes targeted residential homes, killing several local cricketers. According to reports, three club cricketers, Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, were killed in the attack, while four players were injured.
The attack also claimed the lives of five other civilians. According to the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), the players traveled from Urgun to Sharana in eastern Paktika province, near the Pakistan border, to take part in a friendly match. A
Afghan Cricketers Killed: Rashid Khan & Fazalhaq Farooqui Emotional Tweet
Afghanistan’s star players also strongly condemned the attack on social media. Afghan fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqui wrote on ‘X,’
“The massacre of innocent civilians and our domestic cricket players by these oppressors is a heinous crime. May Allah grant the martyrs the highest place in Paradise and make the perpetrators suffer His wrath. The killing of players and civilians is not an honor but a grave disgrace. Long live Afghanistan!”
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s legendary all-rounder Rashid Khan said,
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan. A tragedy that claimed the lives of women, children, and aspiring young cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation on the world stage.”
“It is absolutely immoral and barbaric to target civilian infrastructure. These 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 to withdraw from upcoming fixtures against Pakistan.” I stand with our people at this difficult time; our national dignity must come before all these.”
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