Three Afghan Cricketers—Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon—Killed in Pakistani Airstrike on Paktika Province

The cricketing world has been plunged into mourning following the tragic deaths of three young Afghan cricketers—Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon—in a reported Pakistani airstrike on Afghanistan’s eastern Paktika province. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed the deaths, stating that the players were among eight civilians killed when an airstrike struck Urgun district on Friday evening. The attack, which comes amid renewed border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, has sparked widespread outrage across the Afghan sporting community and prompted Afghanistan to withdraw from an upcoming tri-nation series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka as a mark of respect.

The incident, described by the ACB as a “cowardly attack,” underscores the devastating impact of regional hostilities on civilians and highlights the increasingly fragile relationship between the neighboring nations. The deaths of these three players—each of whom represented the spirit of Afghan cricket—have cast a long shadow over a country still rebuilding its sporting identity after decades of conflict.

A Tragic Loss for Afghan Cricket

According to the Afghanistan Cricket Board, the three players had traveled from Urgun to Sharana in Paktika province to participate in a friendly cricket match. Following the match, they returned home to Urgun, where they reportedly became victims of an aerial strike allegedly conducted by the Pakistani military. In its official statement, the ACB expressed “deep sorrow and grief over the tragic martyrdom of the brave cricketers from Urgun District,” calling the strike an act of “unprovoked aggression” against innocent civilians.

The board’s statement read: “The Afghanistan Cricket Board expresses its deepest sorrow and grief over the tragic martyrdom of the brave cricketers from Urgun District in Paktika Province, who were targeted this evening in a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.”

The ACB’s decision to publicly identify the victims—Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon—was followed by an outpouring of condolences from players, fans, and national figures across Afghanistan. While details about the victims’ cricketing careers remain limited, local reports describe them as passionate players who represented their district in domestic-level tournaments and dreamed of one day donning the national jersey.

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In the wake of the tragedy, the ACB announced its withdrawal from a planned tri-nation series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka, describing the move as a “gesture of respect to the victims and their grieving families.” The decision, though symbolic, sends a strong message about the board’s condemnation of civilian attacks and its commitment to standing in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan during a period of mourning.

Outrage and Mourning Among Afghan Players and Fans

The deaths of the three cricketers have reverberated through Afghanistan’s sporting community, prompting emotional tributes from several of the nation’s top players. Afghanistan’s T20 International captain, Rashid Khan, took to social media to express his anguish and solidarity, condemning what he described as a barbaric assault on innocent lives.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes on Afghanistan,” Rashid wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “A tragedy that claimed the lives of women, children, and aspiring young cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation on the world stage.”

He went on to denounce the attack as “absolutely immoral and barbaric,” emphasizing that targeting civilian areas violated fundamental human rights. “Such unjust and unlawful actions represent a grave violation of human rights and must not go unnoticed,” he added. Rashid also praised the ACB’s decision to withdraw from the tri-series, stating, “In light of the precious innocent souls lost, I welcome the ACB’s decision of withdrawing from upcoming fixtures against Pakistan. Our national dignity must come before all else.”

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Afghanistan’s senior all-rounder Mohammad Nabi echoed these sentiments, calling the incident “a tragedy not only for Paktika but for the entire Afghan cricket family.” Nabi, one of the country’s most respected sporting figures, described the airstrike as a heartbreaking loss for a nation where cricket has long been a source of unity and hope amid turmoil. Fazalhaq Farooqi, another international player, expressed his grief in a Facebook post, writing, “The massacre of innocent civilians and our domestic cricket players by these oppressors is a heinous, unforgivable crime.” His words resonated widely across Afghan social media, where hashtags mourning the players’ deaths trended for much of the weekend.

The Afghan public’s reaction has been marked by both sorrow and outrage. Local cricket clubs held vigils in several provinces, including Kabul, Nangarhar, and Khost, lighting candles and displaying photos of the slain players. For many, the incident symbolized not only the loss of promising talent but also the continued suffering of ordinary Afghans caught between political and military conflicts.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board has urged the international cricket community, including the International Cricket Council (ICC), to take note of the attacks and condemn the targeting of athletes and civilians. While no official statement has yet been issued by the ICC, several sports journalists and human rights advocates have called for an independent investigation into the airstrikes and their civilian toll.

Rising Border Tensions and the Human Cost of Conflict

The deadly airstrike in Paktika occurred amid a tense ceasefire between Afghanistan and Pakistan following days of cross-border clashes. According to reports from Afghan media outlets such as Tolo News, Pakistani aircraft conducted strikes in the Urgun and Barmal districts, targeting what Islamabad allegedly claimed were militant positions. Kabul, however, has accused Pakistan of violating the ceasefire agreement and deliberately striking civilian areas, including residential compounds.

Sources told Tolo News that the airstrikes resulted in significant civilian casualties, with at least eight people confirmed dead, among them the three young cricketers. The incident took place less than 48 hours after a temporary truce was declared to de-escalate hostilities along the border. Both sides had agreed to extend the ceasefire until the conclusion of ongoing diplomatic talks in Doha aimed at preventing further cross-border violence.

Pakistan, for its part, has maintained that its operations target militant groups allegedly responsible for attacks inside its territory, particularly along the porous Durand Line that separates the two countries. However, Afghan officials have repeatedly accused Pakistan of violating Afghan sovereignty through unauthorized incursions and air raids. The deaths in Paktika have further strained relations between Kabul and Islamabad, which have long been characterized by mutual suspicion and competing security interests. While both nations have publicly called for stability in the region, incidents such as the recent strike threaten to derail fragile diplomatic progress.

Analysts note that the renewed cycle of violence along the border highlights the complex interplay between regional politics, militant activity, and the humanitarian toll borne by civilians. Paktika province, located near the frontier, has historically been one of the most volatile regions in Afghanistan, frequently witnessing skirmishes and air operations attributed to Pakistan’s security forces.

For Afghanistan, still reeling from years of conflict, the airstrike’s impact extends beyond immediate casualties. It has reignited national trauma and raised questions about accountability in a context where borders remain disputed and lines of military engagement are often blurred. The deaths of Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon serve as a painful reminder of how geopolitical rivalries continue to claim the lives of ordinary Afghans—students, farmers, and in this case, athletes whose only aspiration was to play cricket.

In Kabul and across Afghan cities, calls are growing for the international community to intervene diplomatically to prevent further escalation. Human rights organizations have urged independent observers to document evidence of civilian harm, while several former government officials have called on the United Nations to facilitate renewed peace talks between the two countries.

The broader implications for Afghan cricket are also profound. In a nation where the sport has become a powerful symbol of unity and resilience, the deaths of three players during peacetime underscore the persistent vulnerability of Afghanistan’s youth. Cricket had long served as a rare bridge across ethnic and regional divides—an emblem of national pride and global recognition. Now, even that space of solace has been touched by tragedy.

As Afghanistan mourns its fallen cricketers, many hope their deaths will not be forgotten amid the ongoing cycle of conflict. Candlelight vigils continue across the country, while players and fans share messages of remembrance online, celebrating the lives of Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon as symbols of courage and hope.

Though their cricketing dreams were cut short, their legacy endures as a testament to Afghanistan’s enduring spirit—a nation where, despite hardship, young men and women continue to find meaning, identity, and unity through sport. Their loss is a tragedy not only for Afghan cricket but for the entire region, a stark reminder that peace remains fragile and that even the most innocent can become casualties in the shadows of war.