A tragic airstrike at the rehabilitation centre in Kabul, where more than 250 people were injured, and 400+ civilians were killed, has left several Afghan cricketers outraged.
The veteran Afghanistan star players like Rashid Khan, Ibrahim Zadran, and the rising talent Allah Ghazanfar have strongly voiced their opinion against the devastation.
Following this incident, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has decided to forfeit the national team’s participation in any of the Pakistan-involved series. In other words, the Pakistan men’s team is likely to face a boycott against Afghanistan in the bilateral series.
Rashid Khan’s Emotional Message About Kabul Airstrikes
Speaking about the Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul, Afghanistan’s star all-rounder Rashid Khan reacted against the shocking disregard for human life, particularly during the Ramadan month:
“Yeah! It makes me deeply saddened after knowing the latest reports of the civilians’ injuries.
Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul targeted civilian homes, medical infrastructure, and educational centres. Even if it was done intentionally or by mistake, it is still a big war crime.
It is indeed a sheer disregard for human lives, and during the holy month of Ramadan, it adds more concern and a sickening feeling.
Such acts will spark big hatred and division. To conduct a detailed investigation and punish those responsible, I urge the UN and human rights groups to take strict action.
In such difficult times, I promise to stand by my Afghan people to heal and rise as a nation as we always do,” Rashid wrote on his X account.
Former Afghan Skipper Describes the Chaos
Mohammad Nabi, the former captain of the Afghanistan men’s cricket team, felt saddened that several people’s lives were cut short on the 28th night of Ramadan:
“No! The hope vanished at the hospital in Kabul. Those men hospitalized were brutally killed by the Pakistani military regime’s bombing activities. Those mothers who waited at the gates and called their sons names stood helplessly.
The 28th night of Ramadan saw those innocent lives being shortened,” Nabi tweeted on his X account.
‘We Pray for Justice’: Ibrahim Zadran
Afghanistan T20I captain Ibrahim Zadran mirrored the sentiments of Rashid and Nabi by sharing an emotional post on X:
“See! Tonight I heard a big explosion in Kabul, and soon we saw flames rise from a hospital into the night sky.
Many of our brothers who prepared to fast tomorrow are no more. Either they are gone or injured. My thoughts remain with every grieving family tonight.
Kabul is enduring immense suffering, and we offer our heartfelt prayers for justice,” Zadran wrote.
Ghazanfar’s Clear Message to India After Pakistani Air Strikes
Afghanistan spin bowler Allah Ghazanfar stated India is Afghanistan’s closest friend and has sought their support in the toughest situations. The 19-year-old questioned Pakistan’s intention behind such a cruel act. He explained how such airstrikes can prove to be threatening to common people’s lives:
“Look! Already, the people suffered from a shortage of money to undergo treatment. And now this rehabilitation place has been targeted, where several people were murdered. People in Afghanistan cannot tolerate such a harmful act.
Just by targeting ordinary people, I don’t understand what they can prove and what they can achieve.
There is no need to specifically explain Afghanistan’s history, as everyone is well aware of it. The repetition of history itself will impose severe consequences for Pakistan.
Remember, our close friend is none other than India. We will certainly collaborate with them and speak out about these issues to avoid such repetition. This is our humble request to other nations as well.
As of now, the entire world is going through tough challenges. Such a type of act is not at all good for any individual,” Ghazanfar wrote on his social media post.
The young Afghan bowler cited India as Afghanistan’s closest friend, as he will feature in the Mumbai Indians (MI) squad for the forthcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2026.
ACB Outraged Against Pakistan After Massive Attack on Kabul Hospital
After the joyful moments of Ramadan were cut short and turned into a shocking tragedy, the Afghanistan Cricket Board took to their social media and fumed against the Pakistani regime’s attack:
“Absolutely! The ACB, staff members, and players promise to stand in solidarity with those affected families and our nation’s people in such hard situations. We strongly condemn such violence against those innocent lives.
The unacceptable fact is that the celebrations and happiest moments during the Eid turned into a heartbreak. People who were hoping to celebrate Eid and pray for a better future have lost their lives. This tragedy has left dreams broken and families filled with grief.
The Pakistani regime’s life-threatening attack on a hospital where countless innocents were brutally murdered has left all of us saddened.
Such tragic incidents during Ramadan add more pain to the wounded hearts. We pray to the great Allah to give them a place in Jannah (the highest place) and bless their families with immense strength, peace, and resilience,” ACB stated.