NEW DELHI: Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan suffered a personal tragedy last week with the passing of his elder brother, Haji Abdul Halim. Following the opening game of the tri-series in the UAE, Pakistan players were seen paying their respects - a gesture widely appreciated by fans.

Several Afghanistan players took to social media to convey the heartbreaking news and express their solidarity with Rashid.

Opener Ibrahim Zadran posted on X: "Saddened to hear about the passing of Rashid Khan's elder brother Haji Abdul Halim. An elder brother is like a father to the family. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. My heartfelt condolences to @rashidkhan_19 and his family."

Former Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan also expressed grief: "It is with deep sorrow that I learned of the passing of the elder brother of @rashidkhan_19 (Haji Abdul Halim Shinwari). May Allah grant him the highest ranks of Paradise (Jannat al-Firdaus) and bestow beautiful patience upon their esteemed family. Ameen."

Even as he grappled with personal loss, Rashid took the field for Afghanistan in the tri-nation opener. Pakistan set 182/7 before dismissing Afghanistan for 143 to claim a 39-run victory. Rashid showed remarkable resilience, smashing 39 off just 16 balls in a defiant late cameo.