Before their one-off Test against Zimbabwe, the Afghanistan cricket team honoured those killed in the Paktika airstrike. At the Harare Sports Club during a practice session on Sunday, the players stood silent in respect and shared their deepest sympathies with the families who lost their loved ones and with all the people of Afghanistan who have suffered as a result of the recent tragedy.
The silence was in memory of those who lost their lives in the border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan because of the air strikes conducted by the Pakistani forces. The strikes killed three young cricketers and injured several other people. As per the statement released by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), the victims had come from Urgun to Sharana in the Paktika province of the east to play a friendly match. It is reported that after being killed in the shooting at a local gathering, they had returned to their homes.
Afghanistan Cricket Board condemns “cowardly act,” Rashid Khan expresses grief
In a statement released on social media, the ACB condemned the incident, calling it “a cowardly act carried out by the Pakistani regime.” The violence, which had briefly subsided under a 48-hour ceasefire, was reignited by alleged Pakistani airstrikes targeting residential areas in Argun and Bermal districts along the Durand Line.
The Taliban vehemently condemned the assaults, calling them a violation of the ceasefire when the delegations from both countries were in Doha to negotiate peace. Among the casualties were three children cricketers — Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon — besides five other civilians who were killed in the same attack.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan, who is not included in the Test squad, made a statement expressing his deepest sympathy for the incident and support for the victims’ families.
After the incident, the ACB made an announcement that Afghanistan would not be part of the tri-nation T20 series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It was scheduled to take place in Lahore and Rawalpindi from November 5 to 29. The tournament was initially planned as the last international engagement of Afghanistan for the year.
Afghanistan vs. Zimbabwe Test match is scheduled for Monday, October 20. After that, there will be a three-match T20I series at the same venue from October 29 to November 2.
