'Immoral, barbaric' - Rashid Khan reacts to Pakistan's attack, removes Lahore Qalandars from X bio

Published - 18 Oct 2025, 13:18 IST | Updated - 18 Oct 2025, 13:22 IST

Afghanistan T20I captain Rashid Khan has reacted to the deadly airstrike by Pakistan in Afghanistan that has sparked outrage. Political tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have escalated following a major conflict earlier this month. According to reports, a Pakistani airstrike in Paktika killed dozens of civilians, including three Afghan domestic cricketers.

The attack deeply shook Afghanistan’s cricket community. Rashid condemned the airstrike, describing it as "barbaric and unjust", and urged the world not to let the tragedy go unnoticed. In an act of protest, the leg-spinner removed the Lahore Qalandars tag from his social media profile. Rashid has been associated with the PSL franchise since 2020, winning three titles with them.

As tensions continue between the two countries, Rashid may also consider withdrawing from the next Pakistan Super League (PSL) season to stand in solidarity with his countrymen.

Three Afghan cricketers killed in Pakistan airstrike

"It is absolutely immoral and barbaric to target civilian infrastructure. These unjust and unlawful actions represent a grave violation of human rights and must not go unnoticed," Rashid wrote on X.

"In light of the precious innocent souls lost, I welcome the ACB’s decision of withdrawing from upcoming fixtures against Pakistan. I stand with our people at this difficult time, our national dignity must come before all else,” he added.

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…

Cricketing ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been officially severed after the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed their withdrawal from the upcoming tri-series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The T20I series was scheduled to be played in Lahore and Rawalpindi from November 17 to 20.

However, Afghanistan will not travel to Pakistan amid a tense military standoff in the border regions. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to issue an official statement regarding whether the series will proceed.