On October 18, Pakistan carried out airstrikes on a civilian area in Afghanistan’s Urgun district, located in Paktika province.
As per the Afghanistan Cricket Board's (ACB) statement, eight civilians, including three cricketers were killed in the attack and seven others were left injured.
After the attack, Afghanistan decided to withdraw from the T20 tri-series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in November.
Several cricketers took to their Twitter (X) and condemned the cross-border activity late in the night.
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Afghanistan cricketers react to terror attack killing cricketers
Among the killed cricketers in the tragic attack were Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah and Haroon from the Paktika district. T20I captain Rashid Khan supported ACB's decision to not travel to Pakistan for the series in November, while several others expressed distress.
I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes on Afghanistan. A tragedy that claimed the lives of women, children, and aspiring young cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation on the world stage.
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) October 17, 2025
It is absolutely immoral and…
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Just days after his heroic knock of 62*(37) to help Afghanistan to 293/9 against Bangladesh — leading to a series clean-sweep, former skipper Mohammed Nabi also shared a heartfelt note on his Facebook page.
"It was very painful for me to hear the news of those heroic players of Argon district Paktika, who were attacked by Pakistani military regime after a friendly match of cricket. This incident is a big grief not only for Paktika, but for the entire Afghan cricket family and nation. My heartfelt condolences to the families of these innocent players, my friends and the people of Paktika," Nabi wrote on Facebook.
Another former captain and all-rounder, who has represented the Afghans in 167 internationals, Gulbadin Naib alongside fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi were among the other players who slammed Pakistan for the "cowardly" attack.
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
انالله واناالیه راجعون
— fazalhaq farooqi (@fazalfarooqi10) October 17, 2025
د ظالمانو لخوا د ملکي وګړو او زموږ د کورني کرکټ لوبغاړو شهیدانېدل یو ستر نه بښونکی جنایت دی، شهیدانو ته دې لوی خدای جنت فردوس نصیب کړي او ظالمان دې خدای ج ذلیل او په خپل قهر ګرفتار کړي.
د لوبغاړو او ملکي وګړو شهیدانول افتخار نه بلکه د بیغرتۍ آخري
حد دی!…
Up next, Afghanistan are scheduled to face Zimbabwe in a one-off Test, followed by a T20I series in Harare from October 20 under Hashmatullah Shahidi.
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