The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has issued a heartfelt condemnation after a Pakistani airstrike on a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul reportedly killed more than 400 civilians and injured at least 250 others, in what many have described as one of the deadliest incidents in the Afghan capital in recent memory. The statement, shared on social media platform X, described how “Eid hopes turned into mourning,” reflecting the pain felt by families and communities on the eve of a major religious festival.

In its message, the ACB said that what should have been moments of joy and celebration instead “turned into grief and heartbreak,” as patients, hospital staff and civilians were caught up in the strike. The board’s leadership, alongside Afghan national team members, voiced solidarity with affected families, offering prayers for the souls lost and strength for those left behind.

The strike, which took place during the holy month of Ramadan, has drawn strong reactions from figures across Afghan cricket. Star all‑rounder Rashid Khan condemned the loss of civilian life as a “war crime” and expressed deep sorrow at the targeting of medical infrastructure, calling for international human rights bodies to investigate.

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Pakistani officials have denied responsibility for civilian casualties, asserting that their military actions were focused on counter‑terrorism operations and that no hospitals were deliberately targeted. Islamabad has characterized claims of civilian deaths as unfounded, even as eyewitnesses described fire and destruction at the facility.

The incident has further strained already tense relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which have been marked by cross‑border clashes and political disagreements in recent years. Earlier conflicts in the region included airstrikes that killed Afghan cricketers in 2025, prompting sports withdrawals and regional diplomatic tension.

Cricket officials in Afghanistan underscored that the losses extend beyond statistics, touching communities and the nation’s spirit. By speaking out against the violence, the ACB and its players are highlighting the human cost of the conflict and calling for greater international attention to civilian protection amid escalating hostilities.

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