A tragic airstrike in Paktika province, Afghanistan, has resulted in the deaths of three Afghan cricketers and five others, leading to Afghanistan’s withdrawal from an upcoming tri-nation cricket series.
Incident Overview
On October 17, 2025, a Pakistani airstrike targeted a gathering in the Urgun district of Paktika province, Afghanistan. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least eight individuals, including three Afghan cricketers: Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon. The players had traveled from Urgun to Sharana for a friendly match and were returning home when they were struck during a gathering. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) condemned the attack as a “cowardly act” carried out by the Pakistani regime.
Afghanistan’s Response
In response to the tragedy, the Afghanistan Cricket Board announced its withdrawal from the upcoming tri-nation series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka scheduled for next month. The ACB expressed its deepest sorrow and grief over the loss of the cricketers and stated that the decision was made “as a gesture of respect to the victims.” Afghanistan’s T-20 team captain, Rashid Khan, condemned the attacks, calling it “absolutely immoral and barbaric” to target civilian infrastructure.
Regional Tensions
The airstrike has further strained relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif issued a warning to Afghans in Pakistan, urging them to leave the country, and linked the conflict to India’s involvement. In contrast, former Afghan MP Mariam Solaimankhil criticized Pakistan’s actions, accusing its intelligence agency of fueling regional terrorism.
