According to an official statement released by the ACB on Saturday, the players were “targeted during a gathering” in Urgun district after returning from a friendly cricket match in Sharana, the provincial capital of Paktika. Local officials reported that the strike killed at least ten people who were at a residence during the attack.

ACB spokesperson Said Nasim Sadat identified the deceased players as Kabeer Agha Argon, Sibghatullah Zirok, and Haroon — the latter known by a single name, as is common in Afghanistan. The board described the deaths as a “heartbreaking loss” for Afghan cricket and stated that withdrawing from the tri-series was both a symbolic and respectful response to the tragedy.

“The ACB considers this a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family,” the board said. “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.”

The International Cricket Council (ICC) expressed its condolences and condemned the violence, stating that it was “deeply saddened and appalled by the tragic deaths of three young and promising Afghan cricketers.” The ICC further emphasized that “acts of violence rob families, communities, and the cricketing world of bright talents whose only ambition was to play the sport they loved.”

Fellow Afghan cricketer Saifullah Khan, who visited the injured players in the hospital, spoke to reporters and called for peace. “We are athletes and ambassadors of peace,” he said. “We don’t want there to be any more bombings or killings like this.”

Funeral prayers for the players were held in Paktika on Saturday, drawing several thousand mourners. People gathered in open fields as local clerics led prayers and delivered messages of solidarity and condemnation over the incident.

Afghanistan’s cricket captain Rashid Khan and the Afghanistan Sports Journalists Federation both supported the ACB’s decision to withdraw from the tournament. The journalists’ federation issued a statement denouncing the strike as “a violation of humanitarian and international norms” and urged all parties to protect civilians and athletes from conflict-related harm.

The tri-nation T20 series, originally scheduled for November 17–29 in Rawalpindi and Lahore, was set to feature Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka as part of the teams’ preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Following Afghanistan’s withdrawal, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that Zimbabwe would replace Afghanistan in the tournament lineup.

“The PCB respects the decision of the Afghanistan Cricket Board and extends its sympathies to the Afghan cricketing community,” the board said in a brief statement. It added that Zimbabwe Cricket had agreed to participate in the event on short notice to ensure that the tournament proceeds as planned.

Pakistan and Afghanistan had recently faced each other in a similar three-nation tournament held in the United Arab Emirates in September, where Pakistan defeated Afghanistan in the final. The series was seen as part of ongoing efforts to promote regional cricket cooperation despite political and security challenges in South Asia.

While the withdrawal has disrupted Afghanistan’s competitive schedule ahead of the World Cup, the ACB stated that its priority at the moment is honoring the memory of the deceased players and supporting their families. The incident has sparked broader discussions about the safety of athletes in conflict zones and the importance of shielding sports from geopolitical tensions.

The ACB concluded its statement with a call for unity: “Our players represent hope, peace, and resilience. Their dreams should never be silenced by violence. Afghanistan cricket stands with the families of the victims and the spirit of sportsmanship that binds nations together.”

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) described the incident as a “cowardly attack,” confirming that the cricketers were targeted after returning home to Urgun during a local gathering. No further details about the circumstances of the airstrike have been released.

In response to the tragedy, Afghanistan withdrew from a scheduled tri-nation cricket series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka next month, citing respect for the victims. The ACB expressed “deepest sorrow and grief over the loss of brave cricketers from Urgun District in Paktika Province.”

Afghanistan’s T20 captain, Rashid Khan, condemned the strikes, highlighting the loss of civilian lives, including women, children, and aspiring young cricketers. He described the targeting of civilian infrastructure as “immoral and barbaric” and welcomed the board’s decision to withdraw from the series, emphasizing the importance of national dignity.

Other members of the Afghan cricket community expressed similar grief. International players Mohammad Nabi and Fazalhaq Farooqi described the airstrike as a “tragedy” and “heinous, unforgivable crime” against innocent civilians and domestic cricket players.

The strikes occurred amid heightened tensions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Reports indicate that residential areas in Urgun and Barmal districts were targeted, resulting in significant civilian casualties. Afghan authorities accused Pakistan of violating a fragile ceasefire agreement that had been in place for 48 hours following days of cross-border clashes.

Local communities in Paktika have expressed fear over the growing frequency of aerial attacks, which disrupt daily life and access to basic services. The loss of the young cricketers, who had shown promise to represent Afghanistan internationally, has sparked concerns about the impact of regional conflicts on sports and youth development.

Afghanistan’s withdrawal from the upcoming tri-nation series underscores the wider implications of border tensions on sports diplomacy. While avoiding immediate interaction with Pakistan on the cricket field, the decision highlights how geopolitical conflicts can influence international sporting events.

Authorities in both countries have yet to release detailed statements clarifying the circumstances of the airstrikes. The incident has drawn widespread attention, with calls for restraint and protection of civilian lives amid ongoing border conflicts.

The tragic deaths of the Afghan cricketers have left a lasting impact on the nation, highlighting both the human cost of regional tensions and the vulnerability of civilians caught in conflict zones.