Rashid Khan and the Afghanistan bombing [Source: X]Amid the growing geopolitical conflict, Pakistan and Afghanistan have also clashed following an incident that escalated tensions into an ‘open war’ between the two nations since February. This severe escalation, involving heavy bombardments from Pakistan, has led several Afghanistan cricketers to condemn the deadly strikes. Rashid Khan, former Afghanistan skipper, alongside veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, Ibrahim Zadran, and Naveen-ul-Haq, have all strongly criticised the airstrike from a neighbouring country, reacting to the severity of the attack. What Happened Between Afghanistan And Pakistan? On Monday, March 16, an airstrike from the neighbouring country hit a drug rehabilitation centre in the Afghan capital, where Taliban officials reported at least 400 people killed and 250 others injured. This deadly airstrike, however, has not come out of nowhere. The current conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan intensified in February 2026 after several years of border friction. Incidentally, on February 6, a major suicide bombing took place at a Shia mosque in Islamabad, killing over 30 people. The seriousness of the attack led the countryn to blame Afghanistan for the incident, after which they launched intelligence-based airstrikes in Nangarhar and Pakhtika provinces in late February. Also Read: Sri Lanka Cancel Afghanistan Series After ACB's Squad AnnouncementConsequently, Afghanistan launched large-scale attacks along the border near the Durand Line, after which the counterparts responded by declaring open war. The conflict has continued, with multiple strikes reported in Kabul since early March. Although the war hasn’t affected the participation of Afghanistan and the Men in Green in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, it appears that tensions have now spilt over into the cricketing community as well. Rashid Khan, Nabi Condemns Pakistan Attack Afghanistan’s star player Rashid Khan took to his X handle to express outrage over the recent bombing in Afghanistan. He expressed deep sorrow over the casualties and the horrors of war, while also calling the airstrikes a war crime. “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, either intentional or by mistake, is a war crime,” Rashid Khan wrote. Khan Calls For Peace Between NationsRashid also called for peace and unity during these difficult times and urged the UN and other human rights agencies to investigate the alleged atrocities. “The sheer disregard for human lives, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, is sickening and deeply concerning. It will only fuel division and hatred. I call upon the UN and other human rights agencies to thoroughly investigate this latest atrocity and hold the perpetrators to account. I stand with my Afghan people in this difficult time. We shall heal, and we will rise as a nation,” Rashid Khan wrote.Rashid Khan @rashidkhan_19 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, either intentional or by mistake, is a war crime. The sheer disregard for human lives, Mar 17, 2026, 4:39 AM Joining him on social media, Mohammad Nabi also shared a video of the bombing on X, slamming Pakistan.Mohammad Nabi @MohammadNabi007 Tonight in Kabul, hope was extinguished at a hospital. Young men seeking treatment were murdered in a bombing by the Pakistani military regime. Mothers waited at the gates, calling their sons’ names. On the 28th night of Ramadan, their lives were cut short. Mar 17, 2026, 5:19 AM Nabi wrote, “tonight in Kabul, hope was extinguished at a hospital,” as he condemned the attack during the holy month of Ramadan.Zadran, Naveen-ul-Haq Join VoicesFollowing Rashid and Nabi, Afghanistan’s recent captain Ibrahim Zadran also took to X to express his sorrow for the victims. Ibrahim Zadran @IZadran18 Tonight I heard a massive explosion here in Kabul. Moments later we saw flames rising into the sky from a hospital. Our brothers who intended to fast tomorrow are now gone, or wounded. My thoughts are with every family grieving tonight. Kabul is in pain. We pray for justice. Naveen-ul-Haq, a talented Afghanistan pacer who has been in the spotlight due to his IPL controversy with Virat Kohli, also shared his thoughts. Naveen stated that he found it difficult to differentiate between regimes, highlighting the brutality of the attack.“Hard to find any difference between Israel and Pakistani regime period," Naveen wrote on his official social media handle X.After a poor T20 World Cup 2026 exit though, Afghanistan will now be preparing to tour India for a one-off Test on June 6, followed by a three-match ODI series across Dharamsala, Lucknow, and Chennai.Also Read: "Learn Hi Learn": Ahmed Shehzad Roasts Rizwan After Pakistan's Loss Vs Bangladesh
.jpg?type=mq "3 Pakistan Players Who Could Be Dropped From ODIs After Series Defeat Vs Bangladesh")
