Kabul, October 18 (UNI) The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic killing of cricketers from Urgun District in Paktika Province in a targeted attack that has sent shockwaves through the country’s sports community.
The ACB described the incident as a devastating loss for Afghanistan’s athletes, the cricketing fraternity, and the broader sporting community.
According to a statement posted on X, three players- Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon- along with five other residents of Urgun District, were martyred in the attack, while seven others sustained injuries.
The victims had traveled to Sharana, the capital of Paktika Province, to participate in a friendly cricket match and were ambushed upon their return home during a local gathering.
The ACB condemned the attack and extended its heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs and to the people of Paktika Province. The Board described the incident as a “cowardly act” and expressed solidarity with the victims’ families in this time of grief.
In response to the tragedy, the Afghanistan Cricket Board announced that it will withdraw from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series scheduled in late November, which was to feature Pakistan. The decision was described as a gesture of respect and mourning for the victims.
The ACB further prayed for the departed souls to be granted the highest ranks in Jannah, for the injured to recover swiftly, and for the families of the victims to be blessed with patience, strength, and comfort during this period of immense grief.
This heartbreaking incident has sparked nationwide mourning and raised concerns about the safety of sportspeople in conflict-affected regions of Afghanistan, highlighting the challenges faced by athletes trying to pursue their passion amid ongoing security threats.
