Three Afghan cricketers were among at least 40 persons killed in Afghanistan during a Pakistani airstrike late on Friday, October 17. According to Tolo News, the air raids targeted residential neighbourhoods in Kandahar’s Spin Boldak sector. According to reports, the majority of the casualties were women and children.
Following the incident, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed the cancelation of the three-match series with Pakistan.
The ACB issued a statement expressing deep sadness and grief over the loss of the cricketers from the Urgun district of Paktika province. The board condemned the act as a “cowardly” attack carried out by the Pakistani 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.
Statement of Condolence
The Afghanistan Cricket Board expresses its deepest sorrow and grief over the tragic martyrdom of the brave cricketers from Urgun District in Paktika Province, who were targeted this evening in a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.
In… pic.twitter.com/YkenImtuVR
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) October 17, 2025
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.
India
