In a barbaric attack, three Afghan cricketers have been killed reportedly in air strikes conducted by Pakistan in Paktika.
Following the attack, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced their decision to withdraw from the upcoming tri-nation T20 series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The air strikes were allegedly carried out by Pakistan’s military regime in Paktika province.
In a statement shared on social media, the ACB condemned the incident, describing it as “a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.”
Afghanistan had been scheduled to participate in the tri-series, also featuring Sri Lanka, in Lahore and Rawalpindi from November 5 to 29.
Afghanistan cricket team captain Rashid Khan has issued a strongly worded statement condemning the “barbaric” airstrikes and said he supported Afghanistan’s decision to withdraw from the tri-series.
“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 ACB said in a statement on Saturday.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been escalating since October 11, when fierce border clashes broke out after Afghan forces reportedly attacked several Pakistani military posts.
The fighting, which has left dozens dead on both sides, led to a short-lived 48-hour ceasefire that was later broken after Pakistan repaortedly carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan. All the cricketers were struck down in Pakitika province hitting residential areas in Argun and Bermal districts along the Durand Line. The Taliban condemned the strikes as a violation of the truce, while delegations from both countries were in Doha for talks aimed at easing the crisis.
Also Read: Finally, Pakistan Admits India’s Devastating Airstrikes https://www.vibesofindia.com/finally-pakistan-admits-indias-devastating-airstrikes/
