Afghanistan pulls out of tri-nation series after Pakistani airstrikes kill 17 including 3 cricketers

October 18, 2025

Pakistan carried out an airstrike in Afghanistan’s Paktika province on Friday. According to Tolo News, 17 people were killed, including three club cricket players. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed this. Sixteen people were also injured in the attack.

In response to this incident, the ACB announced its withdrawal from the Tri-T20 series scheduled to be held in Pakistan in November. The ACB stated that this step was taken out of respect for the slain cricketers. Teams from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka were to participate in the tournament.

According to Afghan media outlet Tolo News, several houses in the Argun and Barmal districts were targeted in the attacks. This area is near the Durand Line, the border between the two countries.

Following the conflict that began on October 9, both countries agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire on the evening of October 15. The ceasefire was set to expire on the evening of October 17, but an extension was agreed upon.

Players returning from a cricket match were attacked.

The ACB stated the social media platform X, stating that the attack occurred on players Kabir, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, who were returning from a friendly cricket match in Sharana, the capital of Paktika province. The ACB did not provide any further details about the attack.

On the day of the attack, Kabir was named Man of the Match in a tournament in his village. A photo of him holding the trophy is going viral.

Absolutely immoral and barbaric: Rashid Khan 

In a post on X, Rashid Khan said, “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. It is absolutely immoral and barbaric to target civilian infrastructure. These unjust and unlawful actions represent a grave violation of human rights and must not go unnoticed. In light of the precious innocent souls lost, I welcome the ACB’s decision of withdrawing from upcoming fixtures against Pakistan. I stand with our people at this difficult time, our national dignity must come before all else.”

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.

It is absolutely immoral and…

— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) October 17, 2025