Afghanistan’s T20I captain Rashid Khan has removed Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Lahore Qalandars from his X (formerly known as Twitter) bio, following Pakistan’s airstrikes that killed three Afghan cricketers during a social gathering. After withdrawal from the tri-nation T20I series on Pakistan soil, Afghan cricketers are likely to boycott the next edition of the PSL.
Rashid has played for a huge number of franchises across the globe. He has played three seasons for Lahore Qalandars. With the schedule of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the PSL clashing, Rashid was unlikely to play in the latter anyway. However, Rashid is a prominent voice in Afghanistan cricketer and others may follow him into boycotting the PSL.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes on Afghanistan — a tragedy that claimed the lives of women, children, and aspiring young cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation on the world stage,” Rashid posted on X.
Who replaced Afghanistan in tri-series on Pakistan soil?
With Afghanistan withdrawing from the T20I series involving Sri Lanka, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has replaced them with Zimbabwe.
"In response to this tragic incident and as a gesture of respect to the victims, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to withdraw from participating in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan," read the ACB's official statement on October 18.
How other Afghanistan veteran cricketers reacted to three cricketers’ death?
Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon got killed by the airstrikes in Paktika's Urgun district. All-rounders Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib condemned the attack as well.
“This brutal act by the Pakistani army is an assault on our people, pride, and independence, but it will never break the Afghan spirit,” Naib wrote.
“Heartbroken by the martyrdom of young cricketers in Urgun, Paktika, targeted in a brutal attack by Pakistan’s military regime,” Nabi wrote
“This inhumane & shameful act seeks to undermine our brave nation, yet it binds us closer together.
Rashid Khan's PSL record
From three seasons for Lahore Qalandars, he has picked up 44 wickets at an average of 15.47, including one fifer and two four-fers. His economy rate is an impressive 6.13 runs per over.