‘Barbaric Attack’: Afghanistan Captain Rashid Khan Mourns Death of Young Cricketers in Pakistan Airstrikes

Afghanistan, Oct 18 :  National cricket team captain Rashid Khan has strongly condemned the recent aerial strikes by Pakistan that killed civilians, including young cricketers, calling the attacks “immoral and barbaric.” He described the strikes as a “grave violation of human rights” and praised the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s (ACB) decision to withdraw from upcoming matches against Pakistan, emphasizing that national dignity must take precedence.

Three Afghan cricketers   Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon – were among eight people killed when Pakistani airstrikes hit residential areas in Kandahar’s Spin Boldak and Paktika provinces late on Friday. Most victims were women and children. Seven others sustained injuries in the attack. The cricketers had reportedly traveled to Sharana, the capital of Paktika, to play a friendly match and were targeted upon returning home.

In response, the ACB canceled a scheduled T20 tournament involving Pakistan and condemned the airstrikes as a “cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.” Afghan media reports indicate that the attacks occurred during a 48-hour ceasefire, which Pakistan had proposed to extend to coincide with ongoing peace talks in Doha. Despite the ceasefire agreement, the airstrikes resulted in heavy civilian casualties, escalating tensions between the neighboring countries.

Rashid Khan expressed solidarity with the Afghan people, stating, “I stand with our people at this difficult time,” and called for international attention to the violation of Afghan civilians’ rights.