Rashid Khan sparks PSL boycott speculation with surprising social media move
Rashid Khan’s move follows deadly Pakistani airstrikes in Paktika Province, which claimed eight civilian lives, including three local cricketers, prompting widespread grief and outrage in the region and cricketing community.
Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan has made headlines after removing the name of Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Lahore Qalandars from his X (formerly Twitter) bio. His move comes in the wake of a tragic incident near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
Recently, Pakistani aerial strikes in Paktika Province claimed the lives of eight civilians, including three local cricketers. The attack has drawn widespread condemnation across Afghanistan’s cricketing community.
The deceased players — Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon — were reportedly killed while returning from a friendly match in Sharana, the capital of Paktika. The incident has sparked anger and mourning, with Rashid’s gesture seen as a silent protest against the tragic killings.
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Rashid Khan’s Participation in PSL Becomes Uncertain:
Following his earlier condemnation of Pakistan’s actions, Rashid Khan removed ‘Lahore Qalandars’ from his X bio. This move has fueled speculation that the Afghanistan captain might consider boycotting the Pakistan Super League in response to the tragic incident.
Rashid Khan, 27, joined Lahore Qalandars in 2021 and has since helped the team win three PSL titles, including last season. He expressed his grief on X, saying he was “deeply saddened by the civilian casualties in Pakistan’s recent aerial strikes on Afghanistan.”
He wrote, “ 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. 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.”
Other Afghanistan Players Express Their Grief:
Afghan all-rounder Samiullah Shinwari expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating that the attack has left both Afghanistan and the cricket community mourning the tragic loss of lives.
He wrote, “ I was deeply saddened by the news of the martyrdom of the heroic players of Argoon district of Paktika, who were brutally attacked by the Pakistani military regime after a friendly cricket match.”
He added, “ The incident is a great sorrow not only for Paktika, but for the entire cricket family and nation of Afghanistan. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of these innocent players, my friends and the people of Paktika.”
Afghan opener Sediqullah Atal backed the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s choice to pull out of the tri-series, expressing his agreement with the decision in light of recent tragic events. He wrote, “ We will never forget their memory and sacrifice. Deeply saddened by Pakistan's attacks on Afghan civilians, women, children, and young cricketers. Such inhuman acts must not be ignored. I fully support the Afghanistan Cricket Board's decision.”
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