Three Afghan Cricketers Killed in Pakistan Airstrike, Afghanistan Withdraws from Tri-Nation Series

According to sources, the three slain cricketers — Kabir, Sibghatullah, and Haroon — were returning home to Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, after playing a friendly match when they were struck in the Pakistani attack. In total, eight people were killed, including the three cricketers, and seven others were injured.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board expressed its grief and condolences through a statement on its social media platform X, saying, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our brave cricketers from Paktika province. Their deaths have caused an irreparable wound to our cricketing family.”

The ACB further added, “This attack has not only shocked Afghanistan but the entire cricket fraternity. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families.”

Following this heartbreaking incident, the Afghanistan Cricket Board decided to withdraw from the tri-nation series — a major setback for Afghan cricket.