Pakistani Airstrikes Kill Three Afghan Cricketers, End Ceasefire and Tri-Series

Kabul/Islamabad – October 18, 2025:
In a shocking escalation of regional tensions, Pakistani airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan have reportedly killed three Afghan national cricketers, abruptly ending a recently brokered ceasefire and forcing the cancellation of the ongoing Tri-Nation Cricket Series. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation across the sports community and raised fears of renewed cross-border conflict between the two neighboring nations.

The Incident

According to Afghan local media and security sources, the airstrikes targeted Khost and Paktika provinces late Friday night, areas believed to host militant hideouts near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Afghan authorities confirmed that three members of the Afghan national cricket team, who were participating in a domestic training camp, were among those killed when a missile struck a residential compound.

The Afghan Cricket Board (ACB) issued a statement Saturday morning, expressing “deep sorrow and outrage” over the deaths of its players and called for an immediate international investigation into what it described as “an unprovoked act of aggression.”

“The loss of our young athletes is not only a tragedy for Afghanistan but for the entire cricketing world,” the ACB said. “We urge the International Cricket Council (ICC) and regional partners to intervene and ensure accountability.”

Pakistan’s Response

In Islamabad, Pakistan’s military confirmed conducting “precision counterterrorism strikes” in eastern Afghanistan but denied deliberately targeting civilians or sports personnel.

A statement from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the operation was aimed at “eliminating cross-border terrorist threats responsible for multiple attacks inside Pakistani territory.”

“Pakistan upholds the highest standards of military engagement and regrets any unintended loss of civilian life,” the ISPR statement added.

However, no direct acknowledgment of the cricketers’ deaths was made in the statement, fueling anger among Afghan officials and sports fans.

End of Ceasefire

The airstrikes have effectively ended the fragile ceasefire agreement signed just a week ago between Islamabad and Kabul following months of border skirmishes. The truce was meant to allow both sides to engage in talks over counterterrorism cooperation and trade facilitation.

Afghanistan’s interim government has suspended diplomatic talks and ordered a review of all bilateral sports and cultural exchanges, citing Pakistan’s “violation of sovereignty.”

Government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a press briefing, “This act of aggression cannot go unanswered. We have lost innocent lives, including our national heroes who carried our flag on the world stage.”

Cancellation of the Tri-Series

The Afghanistan–Pakistan–Sri Lanka Tri-Series, being held in Sharjah, was immediately suspended following the confirmation of the players’ deaths. The Afghan team, already in the UAE for their next fixture, decided to withdraw in mourning.

Sri Lanka Cricket and the Pakistan Cricket Board jointly announced the postponement of all remaining matches, citing “unforeseen tragic circumstances.”

“We stand with our Afghan brothers and sisters in this time of sorrow,” Sri Lanka Cricket said in an official statement. “Sports must remain a bridge for peace, not a victim of political conflict.”

Global Reactions

The international cricket community has reacted with shock and disbelief. The International Cricket Council (ICC) expressed “profound sadness” over the deaths and called for restraint from all parties.

ICC Chairman Greg Barclay released a statement:

“The ICC extends its condolences to the families of the Afghan cricketers and urges both governments to resolve differences through diplomatic means. Cricket has always served as a symbol of unity and peace; such tragedies must never recur.”

Prominent cricketers around the world, including Virat Kohli, Ben Stokes, and Rashid Khan, took to social media to share their condolences. Afghan star Rashid Khan tweeted, “They were not just teammates but brothers. The world must not stay silent. Peace for Afghanistan, peace for all.”

Regional and Political Implications

Analysts fear the incident could further destabilize relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, already strained by border security disputes and allegations of harboring militants.

Dr. Ayesha Jalal, a regional security expert, told local media, “This strike represents a serious setback to South Asian diplomacy. The human and cultural loss — especially involving sports — adds a tragic dimension to what was already a volatile situation.”

The United Nations has called for “immediate de-escalation”, urging both sides to respect international law and protect civilian lives. A UN spokesperson confirmed that the Security Council will hold an emergency session to discuss the airstrike and its implications for regional stability.

Public Reaction in Afghanistan

News of the deaths has triggered public outrage and grief across Afghanistan. Thousands gathered in Kabul, Kandahar, and Jalalabad to hold candlelight vigils in memory of the cricketers. Protesters chanted slogans condemning Pakistan and demanding justice.

Videos circulating on Afghan social media showed mourners carrying cricket bats and Afghan flags, symbolizing their unity in grief. “They were our pride,” one mourner told Tolo News. “They brought smiles to our faces when our country was in pain. Now they are gone because of politics.”

Sports as a Casualty of Conflict

Cricket has long been one of the few unifying forces in Afghanistan, giving young people hope amid decades of turmoil. The Afghan national team’s rise from refugee camps to international recognition has often been hailed as one of sports’ great success stories.

The deaths of the three players whose names have not been officially released pending notification of families have now cast a shadow over that legacy.

Former captain Asghar Afghan stated in an emotional post, “Cricket gave Afghanistan a global voice. Today, that voice has been silenced by bombs.”

Call for International Inquiry

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have called for an independent investigation into the strike, demanding transparency and accountability from both governments.

“Sportsmen should never become collateral damage in armed conflicts,” Amnesty’s regional director said. “The deaths of these cricketers underline the urgent need for civilian protection and strict adherence to international humanitarian law.”

The Road Ahead

As of Saturday evening, tensions remain high along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Both countries have reportedly reinforced their frontier positions, and air defense systems are on alert.

Diplomatic channels remain open, but analysts warn that without rapid de-escalation, the region could see a renewed cycle of retaliation and instability.

For now, Afghanistan mourns not just its athletes but also a deeper loss — of peace, sportsmanship, and the fragile hope that cricket once represented.