In a most heart-rending twist of fate, three Afghan club cricketers, namely Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, were killed in an airstrike in Urgun, Paktika province, when they returned from a friendly match in Sharana. The airstrike, allegedly conducted by Pakistan, has shaken the cricket fraternity in Afghanistan to the core and led to the national team pulling out of the upcoming T20I tri-series in Pakistan in mid-November.
According to reports compiled by Cricbuzz, the players were invited to a small dinner following their game. Some teammates, exhausted from the day’s cricket, decided to rest a decision that ultimately saved their lives. Those who attended the gathering were caught when the site was struck multiple times. Witnesses described the attack unfolding in three waves, though confirmation on whether it involved air or missile strikes is still under investigation.
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The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) officially confirmed the fatalities of the three cricketers, describing it as an “irreparable loss” and adding that a number of others were wounded. The board decided to pullout from the Pakistan tri-series.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) also issued a statement in deep regret and outrage, claiming the tragedy and extended its support to ACB.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also seconded the sentiments, deprecating the “cowardly cross-border airstrikes” and offering condolences to the families of the bereaved and Afghan cricketing fraternity.
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Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan condemned the attack publicly, while some of India’s retired cricketers, like Yuvraj Singh and Irfan Pathan, also used their social media presence to mourn and wish well for the Afghan cricket community.
The death of the three cricketers who had spent their last day playing what they cherished most has left a permanent scar on Afghanistan’s cricketing soul.
