Three Afghan Cricketers Killed in Airstrike
At least three Afghan cricketers were killed in a Pakistani airstrike in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, the Afghanistan Cricket Board confirmed. The players were identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon. Five others also lost their lives in the strike near the border.
Players Were Travelling for a Match
According to officials, the players were on their way from Urgun to Sharana to take part in a friendly cricket match when the attack took place. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation across Afghanistan, with calls for accountability.
Afghanistan Withdraws From Series
In response, Afghanistan announced its withdrawal from the upcoming tri-nation T20 series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The cricket board described the strike as “cowardly” and said it stood in solidarity with the victims’ families.
Rising Tensions at the Border
The strike comes at a time of heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Both sides have exchanged accusations of cross-border violations in recent weeks, with deadly clashes reported along major crossings. The incident is expected to further strain already fragile relations.
