Table of Contents
- Afghanistan Cricket Board Drops Bombshell Allegation
- Who Were the Three Slain Cricketers?
- What the Video Footage Allegedly Shows
- Afghanistan Pulls Out of Pakistan Tri-Nation Series
- ICC and BCCI Back Afghanistan
- Sources
Video Proof: Pakistan Linked to Afghan Cricketers’ Killings
In a shocking development that could reshape cricket diplomacy in South Asia, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has released claims of video evidence directly implicating elements within Pakistan in the targeted killing of three Afghan domestic cricketers.
The ACB stated that the footage—reportedly obtained from regional intelligence sources—shows armed individuals coordinating near the site of the attack in Nangarhar province before the fatal incident. While the board stopped short of naming specific Pakistani state agencies, it accused “certain factions operating from across the border” of orchestrating the assault.
“This is not just an attack on players—it’s an attack on sport, peace, and the future of Afghan youth,” said ACB Chairman Farhan Yousefzai in a press briefing on Tuesday.
Who Were the Three Slain Cricketers?
The victims—identified as 24-year-old fast bowler Samiullah Shinwari, 22-year-old wicketkeeper Rahmatullah Arman, and 26-year-old all-rounder Ziaulhaq Noori—were rising stars in Afghanistan’s domestic circuit. All three had recently been part of regional development squads and were being groomed for national selection.
They were ambushed while returning from a local T20 tournament in Jalalabad. Gunmen opened fire on their vehicle, killing them instantly. No group has officially claimed responsibility, but local officials have long cited cross-border militant activity in the region.
What the Video Footage Allegedly Shows
According to ACB sources, the leaked video—approximately 47 seconds long—captures two individuals in civilian clothing using encrypted radios near the Torkham border crossing hours before the attack. License plates on a nearby vehicle allegedly trace back to a known militant facilitator in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
While the footage hasn’t been independently verified by international media or the ICC, Afghan intelligence agencies say geolocation data and voice analysis support their conclusions. The ACB has submitted the material to the International Cricket Council for review.
Cricket analysts warn that if verified, this could mark the first time a cricket-related killing is tied to state-linked actors—a dangerous escalation in a region already fraught with political tension.
Afghanistan Pulls Out of Pakistan Tri-Nation Series
In response, Afghanistan has officially withdrawn from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series scheduled to begin next week in Lahore, which also includes New Zealand.
“Given the gravity of the evidence and the safety of our players, we cannot in good conscience participate in any event hosted by Pakistan at this time,” the ACB said in a formal statement.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has denied all allegations, calling them “baseless and politically motivated.” PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi urged for a joint investigation but stressed that “cricket should never be weaponized.”
ICC and BCCI Back Afghanistan
The International Cricket Council (ICC) issued a statement expressing “deep concern” and pledged to review the evidence. “Player safety remains our highest priority,” the ICC said.
India’s Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also voiced support. “We stand with our Afghan cricketing brothers during this tragic time,” a BCCI spokesperson said, though it stopped short of endorsing the allegations.
Meanwhile, New Zealand Cricket is evaluating whether to proceed with the series, with security reassessments underway.
As the cricketing world watches closely, one thing is clear: this incident has moved far beyond the boundary ropes—and into the realm of geopolitics.
Sources
Times of India: Video footage proves Pakistan’s role in killing three Afghanistan cricketers – WATCH