"Hard To Find Any Difference" — Ex LSG pacer slams Pakistan over Kabul Tragedy ahead of Indian Premier League 2026

A deadly Pakistani airstrike on Tuesday killed at least 400 people and injured around 250 others in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. This is the deadliest attack in Afghanistan since the suicide bombing at Kabul airport during the US withdrawal in 2021, when at least 169 Afghan civilians and 13 US soldiers were killed. The attack has been strongly criticized by Afghanistan’s cricketers.

Afghanistan fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq, who has played 15 ODIs and 48 T20Is, compared Pakistan to Israel in a Facebook post. He referred to Israel’s recent attack on Iran. Naveen wrote, “It is hard to find any difference between Israel and the Pakistani regime.” He has played for the IPL team Lucknow Super Giants and was also part of Afghanistan’s squads for the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup.

The airstrike reportedly happened at around 9:00 PM, when people were outside after breaking their Ramadan fast. Afghanistan’s health ministry said that the attack destroyed a hospital.

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Afghanistan Cricket Fraternity Reacts To Kabul Strike

The recent airstrikes have made the already tense relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan even worse. Naveen-ul-Haq was not the only cricketer who spoke against the attack. Earlier, Rashid Khan, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, and many others also condemned the attack.

Azmatullah Omarzai wrote on X:

“Earlier tonight, we heard a powerful explosion here in Kabul. Soon after, flames rose into the sky from a hospital struck in Pakistani airstrikes. In the month of Ramadan, after people had broken their fasts, innocent lives were lost and many others were wounded. My heart is with every family mourning tonight. Kabul is grieving. We pray for justice and for peace.”

Rashid Khan also accused Pakistan of war crimes. He wrote on X:

"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, 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. We always do. Inshallah."

Former Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi also spoke after the large number of deaths. He said:

"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."

Naveen-ul-Haq Career Overview

Naveen-ul-Haq is a talented fast bowler from Afghanistan who has made a strong name in T20 cricket. He has played 48 T20I matches, taking 67 wickets with his best bowling of 4/20 and an average of 18.73. He is known for his smart variations and control in the death overs. In the IPL, he has played for Lucknow Super Giants, where he has taken 25 wickets in 18 matches with a best of 4/38 and an economy rate of 9.16. He is an important part of Afghanistan’s bowling attack.