NEW DELHI: The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has revealed the names of three cricketers who were killed in a tragic attack in eastern Paktika province, near the Pakistan border. The players, identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, had travelled from Urgun to Sharana, the provincial capital, to take part in a friendly cricket match. After returning home, they were targeted during a gathering in what the ACB described as “a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.”Alongside the three cricketers, five other people were also killed, and seven others were injured in the incident. The ACB described the attack as “a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family,” extending its “deepest condolences and solidarity to the bereaved families” and the people of Paktika province.In response to this heartbreaking incident, the ACB announced that Afghanistan would withdraw from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka, scheduled for late November, “as a gesture of respect to the victims.” “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,” ACB wrote. “In this heartbreaking incident, three players (Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon) alongside 5 other fellow countrymen from Urgun District were martyred, and seven others were injured. The players had earlier traveled 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 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. “In response of 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, scheduled to be played in late November. “May Allah (SWT) grant the martyrs the highest ranks in Jannah, bless the injured with a speedy recovery, and grant their families patience, reward, and strength during this time of immense grief,” the board said.Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan expressed his sorrow on social media, stating: “I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes 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.“Rashid added, “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.”Other Afghan internationals also voiced their grief. Fazalhaq Farooqi called it “a heinous, unforgivable crime,” while Mohammad Nabi said, “This incident is not only a tragedy for Paktika but for the entire Afghan cricket family and the nation as a whole.”
