Afghan cricket sensation Naveen-ul-Haq has unleashed a scathing attack on Pakistan following deadly airstrikes in Kabul that killed hundreds of civilians. In a viral Facebook post, he equated Pakistan’s actions to those of Israel against Iran, stating it’s ‘difficult to spot any difference between Israel and the Pakistani regime.’
The strikes, originating from Pakistan, have left Afghanistan in mourning, with reports confirming over 400 deaths. Naveen joins a chorus of Afghan cricketers condemning the assault on the capital during Ramadan. Captain Rashid Khan took to X, describing the civilian casualties as ‘deeply distressing’ and a potential war crime. ‘Targeting homes, schools, or medical facilities—intentionally or not—is unacceptable,’ he wrote, demanding a UN probe.
Rashid affirmed his support for the Afghan people: ‘We will heal and rise as a nation, InshaAllah.’ Rahmanullah Gurbaz highlighted a hospital strike, lamenting the loss of innocent lives and challenging global inaction on international law and humanity.
This outpouring from cricket stars underscores the human cost of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border feud. Since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover, skirmishes have intensified. Pakistan alleges Afghan territory shelters TTP and Baloch insurgents launching cross-border attacks, while Kabul counters that Pakistan protects ISIS terrorists.
Previous Pakistani bombings killed three domestic cricketers months ago, leading the Afghanistan Cricket Board to pull out of a Pakistan-hosted tri-series. Social media is abuzz with fan support for the players, turning sports icons into symbols of resistance.
With Ramadan heightening sensitivities, these events risk fueling further hatred. The world must heed these calls for investigation to prevent a cycle of retaliation in this volatile frontier.