Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has expressed grief over the killing of three Afghan cricketers in Pakistan’s recent airstrikes, calling for peace and unity amid the tragedy that has shaken the cricketing fraternity.“Heartfelt condolences to the families of the young #Afghanistan cricketers who lost their lives in the recent attack. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time. May their memories inspire peace & unity,” Yuvraj wrote on X.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Friday confirmed that three domestic players were killed in an airstrike near the Pakistan border, prompting Afghanistan to withdraw from next month’s tri-nation series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka.According to the ACB, the players had travelled from Urgun to Sharana in eastern Paktika province, near the border, to participate in a friendly match. The board said that “after returning home to Urgun, they were targeted during a gathering” in what it described as “a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.”The ACB identified the players as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, adding that five other people also lost their lives in the strike. It said the board “considers this a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family,” while extending “deepest condolences and solidarity to the bereaved families.” The ACB added that its decision to withdraw from the tri-series was made “as a gesture of respect to the victims.“Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan also took to social media, writing: “I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes on Afghanistan… aspiring young cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation on the world stage.”He added, “In light of the precious innocent souls lost, I welcome the ACB’s decision of withdrawing from upcoming fixtures against Pakistan.”Cricketers Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mohammad Nabi also condemned the attack, calling it an “unforgivable crime” and “a tragedy for the entire Afghan cricket family.”
