Afghanistan calls off T20 tri-series with Pakistan after three cricketers die in attack

Three Afghan cricketers were among at least 40 people killed in Afghanistan after a Pakistan airstrike late on Friday, October 17. According to Tolo News, the air raids targeted residential neighbourhoods in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province. Most of the casualties were reportedly women and children.

Following the attack, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced the cancellation of the three-match series against Pakistan. In a statement, the ACB expressed deep sorrow and grief over

the deaths of the cricketers, who were from the Urgun district in Paktika province. The board condemned the incident, calling it a "cowardly" attack carried out by the Pakistan regime.

“In this heartbreaking incident, three players (Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon) alongside 5 other fellow countrymen from Urgun District were martyred, and seven others were injured. The players had earlier traveled to Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, to participate in a friendly cricket match. After returning home to Urgun, they were targeted during a gathering,” the Board said as quoted by The Indian Express.

“In response to this tragic incident and as a gesture of respect to the victims, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to withdraw from participating in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan, scheduled to be played in late November,” the board announced its decision.

According to local Afghan officials, the air raids struck civilian homes directly. The attacks mark a sharp escalation in tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, drawing widespread condemnation and concern. Witnesses and survivors alleged that Pakistan deliberately targeted civilian structures and non-combatants, in violation of international humanitarian law.

“Civilian casualties are extremely high. Yesterday’s airstrikes further increased the numbers. We now have 170 injured and 40 dead,” said Karimullah Zubair Agha, Head of Public Health in Spin Bodak.

“I’ve never witnessed such injustice. A country that calls itself Muslim bombed our women, children, and homes. Issues like this should be resolved through dialogue,” said Haji Bahram, one of the survivors.

“They bombed Muslim women and children. Pakistan carried out this act with complete audacity,” said another survivor, Abdul Zahir.

“There were no military forces here — only civilians and a local market — yet we were attacked,” said Noorghali, who was injured in the strikes.

Beyond the airstrikes, artillery shelling from across the border also struck civilian areas in Nokli, Haji Hassan Kelay, Wardak, Kuchian, Shorabak, and Shaheed, causing widespread destruction to homes and property. The victims were laid to rest in the central cemetery of Spin Boldak district, where hundreds of locals attended the funeral to pay their respects.