‘Immoral, barbaric’: Rashid Khan reacts to Pakistan’s attack, removes Lahore Qalandars from X bio

Afghanistan T20I captain Rashid Khan has responded to Pakistan’s fatal airstrike in Afghanistan, which has generated criticism. Political tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have risen since a big incident earlier this month. According to accounts, a Pakistani airstrike in Paktika killed dozens of civilians, including three Afghan domestic cricket players.

The attack shocked Afghanistan’s cricket community. Rashid slammed the airstrike as “barbaric and unjust” and urged the world not to ignore the tragedy. As a form of protest, the leg-spinner removed the Lahore Qalandars tag from his social media page.

Rashid Khan has been with the PSL franchise since 2020, earning three championships with them.

As tensions between the two countries rise, Rashid may quit from the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season to show support with his compatriots.

“It is absolutely immoral and barbaric to target civilian infrastructure. These unjust and unlawful actions represent a grave violation of human rights and must not go unnoticed,” Rashid wrote on X.

“In light of the precious innocent souls lost, I welcome the ACB’s decision of withdrawing from upcoming fixtures against Pakistan. I stand with our people at this difficult time, our national dignity must come before all else,” he added.

I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes on Afghanistan. A tragedy that claimed the lives of women, children, and aspiring young cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation on the world stage.

It is absolutely immoral and…

— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) October 17, 2025

Cricketing ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been officially severed after the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed their withdrawal from the upcoming tri-series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The T20I series was scheduled to be played in Lahore and Rawalpindi from November 17 to 20.