Afghanistan Withdraws from T20 Series After Airstrike Kills Three Local Cricketers
Afghanistan has announced its withdrawal from an upcoming international cricket series after three young local players were killed in an airstrike that the country blamed on Pakistan. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed on Saturday that it would not participate in the tri-nation T20 tournament scheduled for November, saying the decision was made out of respect for the victims and their grieving families.
The fatal strike struck the Urgon district of Paktika province earlier this week, hitting a private residence where local cricketers had gathered for dinner after finishing a match in a regional competition. Witnesses told the BBC that the home was completely destroyed in the attack, leaving eight people dead, including the three athletes.
ACB Confirms Withdrawal and Mourns Players
In a solemn statement, the Afghanistan Cricket Board identified the deceased as Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah, and Haroon. Although none of them were part of the national squad, the ACB described them as rising talents in the Afghan cricketing community, calling their deaths “a devastating loss for Afghanistan’s sports family.”
“The entire Afghan cricket community is heartbroken,” the ACB said. “These players represented the dreams of thousands of young athletes who find hope and unity through the game of cricket. Their loss will be felt deeply across the nation.”
The ACB added that, as a mark of respect, Afghanistan would withdraw from November’s tri-nation T20 series, which was to feature matches against Pakistan and another participating country. “Cricket in Afghanistan is not just a sport—it is a symbol of resilience,” the board said. “But this tragedy has left us mourning.”
Pakistan Denies Civilian Casualties
Pakistan’s military quickly responded to the accusations, stating that its airstrike targeted militant positions along the border and denied that civilians or athletes were among the dead. Officials in Islamabad said the operation was carried out in response to escalating attacks on Pakistani soldiers stationed near the Afghan frontier.
Pakistan’s Minister of Information, Attaullah Tarar, rejected Afghanistan’s claims as “false and politically motivated,” saying they were “an attempt to gain sympathy for groups that continue to carry out terrorism against Pakistan from across the border.”
Tarar also criticized the International Cricket Council (ICC) for what he called its “biased and premature” statement condemning the incident. “The ICC issued comments without any independent verification or credible investigation,” he said. “Pakistan respects sports and the spirit of cricket, but it will not tolerate baseless allegations.”
ICC and Cricket World React with Outrage and Sympathy
The International Cricket Council released a statement expressing deep sorrow over the incident. “The ICC is deeply saddened and appalled by the tragic deaths of three young and promising Afghan cricketers,” it said. “We stand in solidarity with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and condemn this act of violence in the strongest possible terms.”
Afghanistan’s national cricket captain Rashid Khan also took to social media to pay tribute to the slain players. “These young men dreamed of wearing the Afghan jersey and representing our nation on the world stage,” Khan wrote. “Their dreams were taken away too soon. May their souls rest in peace.”
Other national team players, including fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi, echoed similar sentiments. “This is not just a tragedy—it is a heinous, unforgivable crime,” Farooqi said in his post. Afghan cricket fans across the country have been sharing the players’ photos and stories online, calling them “heroes who loved the game and their homeland.”
The ACB also shared portraits of the three young men on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, with the caption: “Gone but never forgotten. Their passion for cricket will live on.”
Funeral Draws Thousands as Grief Turns to Anger
On Saturday, large crowds gathered in Paktika province for the funeral of the victims. Images circulating on Afghan social media showed hundreds of mourners carrying the coffins draped in national flags. The emotional ceremony reflected both deep sorrow and simmering anger at the continuing violence that has plagued the region for years.
Several mourners told local reporters that the strike had targeted civilians, not militants. “These were just boys who played cricket. They had no connection to politics or fighting,” said one local resident. “We just want peace and justice.”
The Taliban government has condemned what it called “Pakistani aggression,” warning that such actions risk derailing ongoing peace efforts between the two nations.
Tensions Flare as Temporary Truce Expires
The airstrike occurred just hours after a temporary ceasefire between Afghanistan and Pakistan expired. The two countries had agreed to a 48-hour truce following a series of deadly border clashes that left dozens of people dead on both sides.
According to Pakistan’s military, at least seven Pakistani soldiers were killed in a suicide bombing near the Afghan border a day before the strike. Islamabad claimed that the bomber had links to groups based in Afghanistan—a charge Kabul strongly denies.
The fragile truce, which began Wednesday at 13:00 GMT, has reportedly been extended to allow for continued diplomatic talks aimed at de-escalation.
Peace Talks Begin in Doha Amid Growing Unrest
As tensions simmered, delegations from both countries arrived in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday to resume peace talks mediated by international partners. Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government confirmed its participation but accused Pakistan of trying to “prolong the conflict” through military pressure.
Despite the hostilities, Afghan officials said they hoped the talks would lead to a “permanent cessation of hostilities and respect for national sovereignty.”
Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai urged Pakistan to change its approach. “Islamabad must reconsider its policies and adopt friendly and civilized relations with its neighbor,” Karzai said in a public statement.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office confirmed that Defence Minister Khawaja Asif would lead its delegation at the Doha talks. The discussions are expected to focus on cross-border terrorism, security cooperation, and restoring stability along the volatile frontier.
Cricket Becomes a Symbol of National Mourning
In Afghanistan, where cricket has become a unifying national passion over the past two decades, the deaths have sparked an outpouring of grief. Cricket fans, players, and community leaders have turned the sport’s social media pages into memorials filled with prayers and tributes.
Analysts say the ACB’s decision to withdraw from the upcoming tournament reflects both mourning and protest. “Afghanistan’s withdrawal sends a strong message—that sports cannot exist in isolation from the realities of conflict,” said a Kabul-based journalist.
For now, the ACB says its focus remains on supporting the families of the victims and ensuring their sacrifice is not forgotten. “These young men played for love of the game and the pride of their nation,” the board said. “Their memory will continue to inspire generations of Afghan cricketers.”