The cricketing world was shaken after reviews emerged of a devastating airstrike by Pakistan in Kabul that took tons of of lives. Members of the Afghanistan cricket group had been among the many first to react, with a number of gamers voicing grief, anger and requires accountability following the incident.
The strike reportedly focused the Omid Dependancy Therapy Hospital, a significant rehabilitation centre within the Afghan capital. With over 400 individuals feared lifeless and tons of injured, the tragedy has triggered sturdy reactions not simply politically, but in addition throughout the sporting neighborhood – particularly from Afghan cricketers who’ve lengthy served as world ambassadors for his or her nation.
Rashid Khan leads outrage, requires UN investigation
Star spinner Rashid Khan led the condemnation, utilizing social media platform X to demand justice and spotlight the severity of the incident. The previous T20I captain didn’t maintain again, describing the assault in stark phrases and urging world authorities to intervene.
“I’m deeply saddened by the newest reviews of civilian casualties on account of Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul. Concentrating on civilian properties, academic services or medical infrastructure, both intentional or by mistake, is a battle crime,” Rashid wrote.
He additional emphasised the emotional weight of the tragedy, particularly given its timing throughout Ramadan – a interval of reflection and peace for Muslims worldwide.
“The sheer disregard for human lives, particularly in the course of the holy month of Ramadan, is sickening and deeply regarding. It can solely gas division and hatred,” he added.
Rashid additionally referred to as upon worldwide our bodies to behave swiftly. He urged the United Nations and human rights organizations to “totally examine this newest atrocity and maintain the perpetrators to account.”
Ending on a be aware of resilience, he expressed solidarity together with his fellow residents: “I stand with my Afghan individuals on this tough time. We will heal, and we’ll rise as a nation. We at all times do. Inshallah!”
I’m deeply saddened by the newest reviews of civilian casualties on account of Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul. Concentrating on civilian properties, academic services or medical infrastructure, both intentional or by mistake, is a battle crime. The sheer disregard for human lives,… pic.twitter.com/DbFRRh2qAJ
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) March 16, 2026
Rashid was not alone in his response. Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi shared a deeply emotional message that resonated extensively throughout social media.
“Tonight in Kabul, hope was extinguished at a hospital. Younger males looking for remedy had been murdered in a bombing by the Pakistani army regime.”
He described the human price in heartbreaking element: “Moms waited on the gates, calling their sons’ names. On the twenty eighth night time of Ramadan, their lives had been lower brief.”
His phrases highlighted the tragic irony of a medical facility – meant for therapeutic – turning into the location of such devastation.
Tonight in Kabul, hope was extinguished at a hospital. Younger males looking for remedy had been murdered in a bombing by the Pakistani army regime. Moms waited on the gates, calling their sons’ names. On the twenty eighth night time of Ramadan, their lives had been lower brief. pic.twitter.com/p12617D4de
— Mohammad Nabi (@MohammadNabi007) March 16, 2026
New T20I captain Ibrahim Zadran supplied a private account, revealing that he was in Kabul when the explosion occurred.
“Tonight I heard an enormous explosion right here in Kabul. Moments later we noticed flames rising into the sky from a hospital.”
He added a poignant reflection on the timing of the assault: “Our brothers who meant to quick tomorrow at the moment are gone, or wounded. My ideas are with each household grieving tonight. Kabul is in ache. We pray for justice.”
Tonight I heard an enormous explosion right here in Kabul. Moments later we noticed flames rising into the sky from a hospital.
Our brothers who meant to quick tomorrow at the moment are gone, or wounded. My ideas are with each household grieving tonight.
Kabul is in ache. We pray for justice.
— Ibrahim Zadran (@IZadran18) March 16, 2026
Reactions of different Afghan gamers
Different Afghan cricketers additionally joined the refrain of condemnation. Quick bowler Naveen-ul-Haq drew comparisons with different world conflicts, whereas Wafadar Momand described the hospital as a “home of humanity,” calling the strike a grave violation of ethics and human values.
Naveen Ul Haq’s Fb put up. pic.twitter.com/1BCMWg9PlS
— WarMonitor (@WarMonitorINTL) March 17, 2026
All-rounder Gulbadin Naib expressed solidarity with affected households, stressing unity and resilience within the face of tragedy. In the meantime, younger spinner Noor Ahmad summed up the collective grief in a single phrase: “Heartbreaking.”
Additionally READ: Afghanistan unveil squads for the white-ball series against Sri Lanka; Ibrahim Zadran appointed new T20I captain
In the meantime, Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) posted a collection of tweets to sentence the assault and in addition talked about that they stand in solidarity with the affected households and their individuals throughout this tough time.
Eid Hopes Turned Into Mourning
Afghanistan Cricket Board’s management, together with the #AfghanAtalan lineup and workers, strongly condemns all acts of violence in opposition to harmless individuals. We stand in solidarity with the affected households and our individuals throughout this tough time. 1/4 pic.twitter.com/oN1vknQiod
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) March 17, 2026
What ought to have been moments of pleasure and celebration have as an alternative changed into grief and heartbreak. Lives that had been trying ahead to Eid, to therapeutic, and to a brighter tomorrow had been tragically lower brief, abandoning shattered desires and grieving households. 2/4
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) March 17, 2026
The Pakistani regime’s devastating assault on a rehabilitation facility, ensuing within the lack of tons of of harmless lives and accidents to numerous others, has deeply saddened us all. The prevalence of such a tragedy throughout Ramadan makes the ache much more profound. 3/4
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) March 17, 2026
We ask the Almighty Allah to grant the victims the very best ranks in Jannah and bless their households with persistence, energy, and peace.
Certainly, we belong to Allah, and to Him we will return.#ACB 4/4
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) March 17, 2026
In accordance with officers, the airstrike occurred round 9:00 pm native time and brought on widespread destruction throughout the hospital advanced. Rescue operations continued by means of the night time, with fears that the loss of life toll may rise additional as groups searched by means of the particles.
Whereas investigations and official responses are awaited, one factor is evident – the emotional influence of this incident has gone far past the boundaries of cricket, uniting gamers and followers alike in grief and solidarity.
Additionally READ: IPL 2026 – Here’s why KKR have no replacements for Harshit Rana and Matheesha Pathirana
