Pakistan violated the ceasefire and carried out an airstrike in Paktika, Afghanistan. Eight people, including three cricketers from Afghanistan, were killed in Pakistan’s air strikes, while seven people were injured. International cricketers of Afghanistan have lashed out at this action of Pakistan.
mohammad nabiThe reaction of Rashid Khan, Gulbadin Naib and Fazalhaq Farooqui has also come to light on this entire issue. All the players had gone to play a friendly match in Sharana, the capital of Pakistan. After returning home, he was attacked during a meeting in Urgun district. The Afghan cricketers who were killed in this attack have been identified as Kabir, Sibghatullah and Haroon.
Statement of Condolences
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.
In… pic.twitter.com/YkenImtuVR
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) October 17, 2025
afghanistan Mohammad Nabi, the senior most cricketer of Pakistan, said that he was “deeply saddened” to hear the news of the death of three cricketers.
He wrote in a Facebook post that this is a matter of mourning for the entire Afghanistan. In the same post, he expressed his condolences towards the families of the victims.
Nabi wrote on Facebook, “I am deeply pained to know that the brave players of Paktika in Urgun district Pakistan Attacked after a friendly cricket match. This incident is a big grief not only for Paktika, but for the entire Afghan cricket family and the country. My condolences to the families of these innocent players, my friends and the people of Paktika.
Gulbadin Naib wrote on X- We are deeply saddened by the cowardly Pakistani attack in Paktika, Urgun, which resulted in the martyrdom of innocent civilians and our fellow cricketers. This barbaric act of Pakistani Army is an attack on our people, our honor and our freedom, but it can never break the Afghan spirit.
We are deeply saddened by the cowardly military attack in Argun, Paktika, that martyred innocent civilians and fellow cricketers. This brutal act by the Pakistani army is an assault on our people, pride, and independence.but it will never break the Afghan spirit.
— Gulbadin Naib (@GbNaib) October 17, 2025
Fazalhaq Faruqui also wrote a Facebook post regarding this incident – Martyrdom of civilians and our domestic cricket players by tyrants is an unforgivable crime. May Allah grant heaven to the martyrs and humiliate the oppressors and arrest them with their anger. The martyrdom of players and civilians is not an honor but the end of shamelessness. This is too much, friend!
Farooqui further wrote in the post – The massacre of innocent civilians and our domestic cricket players by these tyrants is a heinous, unforgivable crime. May Almighty Allah grant the martyrs a special place in heaven. 
Rashid Khan also reacted on this. He wrote on X- Targeting civilians and young players is not acceptable under any circumstances, it is a gross violation of human rights. At the same time, he has supported the decision of Afghanistan Cricket Board to withdraw from the upcoming matches against Pakistan. 
Earlier, after several days of conflict on the border, Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire. But Afghan officials said on Friday that the recent airstrike was a clear violation of this. A senior Taliban official told news agency AFP – Pakistan broke the ceasefire and bombed three places in Paktika province, Afghanistan will respond to this.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) expressed its condolences to the people killed in Paktika. In view of this tragic incident, the ACB has decided to withdraw its name from the triangular T20I series scheduled to be held in late November. Teams from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka were going to participate in this tournament.
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