Yuvraj Singh condemned the killing of three Afghan cricketers in a reported airstrike carried out by Pakistan.
Yuvraj Singh Pays Tribute to Afghan Cricketers Killed in Airstrike
India’s 2011 World Cup hero, Yuvraj Singh, led tributes after three Afghan cricketers were killed in an alleged Pakistan airstrike in Paktika province on Friday. The players — Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah Zirok, and Harron — had returned to Urgun after a friendly match in Sharana when the strike occurred, part of a barrage that claimed at least 10 lives, according to official and multiple reports.
Yuvraj Singh shared his message on X on Saturday, which was widely amplified by Indian and Afghan fans as cricket mourned yet another tragedy off the field.
Yuvraj’s message of condolence
Heartfelt condolences to the families of the young #Afghanistan cricketers who lost their lives in the recent attack. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time. May their memories inspire peace & unity 🙏🏻
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) October 18, 2025
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) condemned the airstrike as a cowardly act, naming three local cricketers and announcing that Afghanistan would withdraw from next month’s T20 Tri-Nation Series in Pakistan, originally scheduled for November 17-29 in Rawalpindi and Lahore. The ICC expressed sorrow over the loss of these young and promising athletes. Zimbabwe is set to replace Afghanistan in the series.
Indian cricket authorities also issued statements of support. The BCCI condemned the violence and extended condolences to the families and the Afghan cricket fraternity, aligning with the ICC’s stance and the ACB’s grief.
How the cricket world reacted
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan condemned the airstrike as immoral and barbaric, while senior players, including Mohammad Nabi, expressed their outrage on social media. Multiple reports outlined the sequence of events surrounding the strike and the sport’s response, including the ACB’s withdrawal and tributes planned by the Afghan team ahead of their other fixtures.
Yuvraj Singh’s statement added a powerful Indian voice to calls for restraint and empathy, highlighting how rising Afghanistan-Pakistan tensions have impacted cricket. The incident has disrupted scheduled events and forced governing bodies into difficult decisions. With fans in both countries deeply invested in the sport, his call for peace and unity resonated widely, emphasizing that the human cost remains cricket’s gravest concern.
