The captain of Afghanistan’s Twenty20 International team, Rashid Khan, has responded to the indignation caused by Pakistan’s deadly bombing in Afghanistan. A significant clash earlier this month has heightened political tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Reports state that three Afghan domestic cricket players were among the dozens of people killed in a Pakistani bombing in Paktika.
The attack rocked the cricket community in Afghanistan. In his condemnation of the airstrike, Rashid Khan called it “barbaric and unjust” and encouraged everyone to take heed of the tragedy. The leg-spinner protested by taking the Lahore Qalandars tag off his social media accounts.
Since 2020, Rashid Khan has been a member of the PSL team, and he has helped them win three titles.
To show support for his compatriots, Rashid Khan might possibly think about skipping the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season if relations between the two nations remain high.
Targeting civilian infrastructure is pure barbarism and immorality. “These unfair and illegal acts constitute a serious human rights violation and must not be ignored,” Rashid Khan wrote on X.
“Given the loss of so many innocent lives, I applaud the ACB’s decision to skip their forthcoming matches against Pakistan. Our national dignity must come first, and I stand with our people throughout this trying moment,” he continued.
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
After the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed their withdrawal from the forthcoming tri-series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Afghanistan’s cricketing ties were formally terminated. Lahore and Rawalpindi were to host the Twenty20 International series on November 17 and 20.
Afghanistan will not, however, visit Pakistan because of the severe military situation along the border. The series’ continuation has not yet been officially announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
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