‘Targeting civilians is a war crime’: Afghan cricketers react to Pakistan airstrikes

NEW DELHI: A wave of anger and grief has swept through Afghanistan’s cricket fraternity after a devastating airstrike in Kabul reportedly killed around 400 people and injured 250, making it one of the deadliest attacks in the country’s recent history.

Leading the outrage was fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq, who did not hold back in his reaction. “Hard to find any difference between Israel and Pakistani regime period,” he wrote on Facebook, drawing a stark comparison that quickly gained traction among fans.




Star all-rounder Rashid Khan also voiced his anguish, calling the reported civilian casualties deeply disturbing. “I am deeply saddened by the latest reports of civilian casualties as a result of Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul. Targeting civilian homes, educational facilities or medical infrastructure… is a war crime,” he wrote. Rashid further added that the “sheer disregard for human lives” during the holy month of Ramadan was “sickening,” urging the UN and global human rights bodies to investigate and hold those responsible accountable. “I stand with my Afghan people… We shall heal, and we will rise as a nation,” he added.



Former captain Mohammad Nabi shared a deeply emotional message, describing scenes of chaos and loss. “Tonight in Kabul, hope was extinguished at a hospital… Mothers waited at the gates, calling their sons’ names,” he wrote, highlighting the human cost of the tragedy.



T20I captain Ibrahim Zadran echoed similar sentiments. “Tonight I heard a massive explosion… Kabul is in pain. We pray for justice,” he said, reflecting the shock felt across the nation.



According to officials, the strike targeted the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital, a major 2,000-bed facility in Kabul, leaving large sections destroyed. Rescue teams continue to search for survivors amid the debris.

The incident has further strained already tense relations between Pakistan and the Taliban administration, with both sides trading accusations over security concerns. As the humanitarian toll rises, voices from the cricketing world continue to amplify calls for accountability and justice.

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