Afghanistan,Oct.18,2025:Paktika airstrike kills Afghan cricketers. On the night of the incident in Urgun/Arghun district of Paktika province, multiple civilians — including three local cricketers — were reported killed after what Afghan authorities and the Afghanistan Cricket Board say were aerial strikes. The ACB immediately announced Afghanistan’s withdrawal from a scheduled tri-nation T20 series in Pakistan later this November as a mark of respect and protest. These developments have reverberated through cricket communities and diplomatic channels-
What happened — the Paktika incident
- Local reports say the cricketers had attended a friendly match in Sharana and were returning to Urgun/Arghun when the area was hit.
- Afghan authorities and the ACB describe the incident as an aerial strike that killed several people; different outlets report between eight and ten killed overall and multiple injuries.
- The ACB said the victims included three domestic cricketers identified as Kabeer (Kabeer Agha Argon/Kabir), Sibghatullah, and Haroon — names widely published in regional reporting.
Short, factual steps matter in fast-moving stories. The broad picture: a community event turned fatal after lethal strikes in a populated area near the border — an outcome that prompted swift sporting and political reactions.
Who were the victims
The ACB has named three players among the dead — Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon — describing them as local cricketers who represented the sport and the region at domestic levels. Their deaths were highlighted by Afghanistan’s playing community and by teammates who described the slain players as young representatives of peace and local pride.
Official reactions — ACB, players, and human-rights groups
- Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB): The ACB called the strike “a cowardly military attack” and announced Afghanistan’s withdrawal from the tri-nation T20 series scheduled in Pakistan for November 17–29. The board framed the decision as a gesture of respect to the victims and a protest at civilian targeting.
- Rashid Khan (Afghanistan captain): The team captain publicly condemned the attack as “absolutely immoral and barbaric,” expressed deep sadness, and supported the ACB’s withdrawal decision. His comments captured the cricket world’s shock.
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- Other players: Senior players including Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib denounced the attack; Naib called it an assault on Afghan dignity and insisted the Afghan spirit would not be broken.
- Rights groups: International and regional human-rights organisations urged independent investigations and decried the civilian casualties, warning such incidents violate international humanitarian norms.
These reactions underscore how the incident is both a human tragedy and a flashpoint for national sentiment.
Pakistan and international response
- As of reporting, Pakistani government and military responses were limited or pending; some Pakistani officials and outlets later issued statements that sought to explain or contextualise cross-border operations — but public comment from top Pakistani leadership was not immediately prominent in early reports.
- International media coverage and regional outlets have focused on confirming casualty figures and documenting the withdrawal’s sporting consequences. Independent, on-the-ground verification remains challenging in conflict zones; international agencies and news organisations continue to seek confirmation.
Sporting fallout — withdrawal from the tri-series and implications
Paktika airstrike kills Afghan cricketers — and in direct response, the ACB pulled Afghanistan out of the Pakistan-hosted tri-nation T20 series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka, scheduled from November 17–29 in Lahore and Rawalpindi. That decision has immediate competitive, financial and diplomatic consequences-
- Competitive: Afghanistan loses key international preparation opportunities ahead of global events, affecting player readiness and exposure.
- Commercial: Broadcasts, ticketing and bilateral cricket relations may face disruption if boards and sponsors reassess fixtures in the security context.
- Diplomatic: Sporting boycotts or withdrawals are politically symbolic and can harden positions between governments; sport is being used here as both protest and protective measure.
PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) sources have stated intent to proceed with the tri-series and explore replacements, while Sri Lanka’s participation remained confirmed in early reporting.
Legal and humanitarian issues raised
The deaths of civilians — including sportspeople — in cross-border strikes raise immediate questions under international humanitarian law-
- Civilian protection: Targeting gatherings where civilians are present can violate laws protecting non-combatants. Rights groups have called for impartial investigations.
- Accountability and transparency: Independent verification — from UN monitors, neutral observers, or third-party journalists — is essential to determine responsibility and whether strikes respected proportionality and distinction.
- Multiple organisations urged that the incident be investigated and that humanitarian safeguards be prioritised as diplomatic talks continue.
