Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi slam Pakistan after 3 cricketers killed in fresh airstrike on Afghanistan: 'Barbaric, immoral'

Afghanistan men’s international cricketers slammed Pakistan for the airstrike which killed 10 people.

At least three Afghanistani cricketers were killed in a fresh Pakistani airstrike in Paktika province. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said that the players had travelled from Urgun to Sharana in the eastern Paktika province on the Pakistan border to take part in a friendly match.

Afghanistan men’s international cricketers, led by captain Rashid Khan, slammed Pakistan for the airstrike which killed 10 people.

Also Read: 3 Afghan cricketers killed in Pakistani airstrike; Board pulls team from Tri-Nation series

“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, who captained Afghanistan in the recent 2025 Asia Cup and another tri-series involving Pakistan in the UAE before that tournament, said in a statement, according to a report by News18.

“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," he added.

Another international player, Mohammad Nabi, added, "This incident is not only a tragedy for Paktika but for the entire Afghan cricket family and the nation as a whole."

The ACB named the three cricketers, who were killed in the strike, as "Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon". After the attack, Afghanistan also pulled out of a tri-nation series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka next month "as a gesture of respect to the victims".

Statement of Condolence

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.

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In… pic.twitter.com/YkenImtuVR

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) October 17, 2025

ACB said that "after returning home to Urgun, they were targeted during a gathering" in what it described as "a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime". The ACB did not give any more details on the attack, according to NDTV.

Meanwhile, Taliban accused Islamabad of breaking a 48-hour ceasefire that brought calm to the border after nearly a week of bloody clashes.

Pakistan-Afghanistan border clashes

Pakistan and Afghanistan, former allies, were involved in a week of bloody clashes, with both claiming dozens of casualties on the other side. A 48-hour ceasefire was agreed on Wednesday, which the Taliban, the militant outfit that governs Afghanistan, now says Pakistan has broken with fresh strikes.

“Pakistan has broken the ceasefire and bombed three locations in Paktika" province, a senior Taliban official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Afghanistan will retaliate."

This came after Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed on Friday to extend their 48-hour ceasefire until the conclusion of talks in Doha, sources told Reuters.

According to Afghan media, Pakistan conducted a series of airstrikes in Afghanistan's Paktika province on Friday, with Kabul accusing Islamabad of breaching the fragile ceasefire agreement between the two neighbouring countries.

The deadly strikes come amid a 48-hour ceasefire agreement between the two nations following days of intense cross-border clashes.

The violence between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated dramatically last weekend as the Taliban’s foreign minister began a visit to India. Forces from both countries engaged in fierce fighting on the ground, while Islamabad also launched airstrikes along the contested border, with both sides claiming dozens of casualties.

Pakistan has accused the Taliban-led government of not doing enough to control militants, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), who have intensified attacks within Pakistan and are allegedly being given shelter. In response, Kabul has rejected the accusations, stating that Pakistan is responsible for its own security.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday that Pakistan “retaliated" after losing patience with Afghanistan following a series of militant attacks, but was ready to hold talks to resolve the conflict.