Afghan Cricketer Ghazanfar Urges Global Attention After Kabul Hospital Strike

Afghan cricketer Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar has made an emotional appeal for global awareness after an airstrike devastated a major hospital in Kabul. As he prepares to represent the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, Ghazanfar highlights the dire situation for civilians amid ongoing conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan. He calls for dialogue and international support to prevent further tragedies, emphasizing the need for humanitarian assistance in a region plagued by violence. His plea sheds light on the broader implications of the conflict and the urgent need for peace.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 18, 2026, 11:39 IST

Emotional Plea from Afghan Cricket Star

Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, a prominent cricketer from Afghanistan set to play for the Mumbai Indians in the upcoming IPL, has made a heartfelt appeal for international awareness following a tragic airstrike on a significant rehabilitation center in Kabul. The airstrike targeted the Omid hospital, a facility with 2,000 beds, around 9 p.m. local time, resulting in extensive damage, as reported by Hamdullah Fitrat, Afghanistan's deputy government spokesperson.

In an interview with a news outlet, the 19-year-old athlete expressed his concerns regarding the impact of the ongoing conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan on civilians, particularly after the hospital was struck. He described the hospital as a vital resource for individuals seeking both physical and mental recovery, emphasizing that many people relied on its services.

Ghazanfar lamented, “The people there don’t have money for treatment, and now, they’ve targeted that place as well; they’ve martyred those people. This is not acceptable to the people of Afghanistan.” He questioned the intentions behind such attacks, stating, “I don’t know what they’re trying to prove. They come and target ordinary people, and we simply cannot accept this. Afghanistan cannot accept this.”

He warned of the potential consequences if Afghanistan's troubled history were to repeat itself, suggesting it would have dire implications for Pakistan as well. He labeled the ongoing strikes as a “great injustice,” arguing that the reality of the situation starkly contrasts with the official narratives provided by those responsible.

Ghazanfar referred to India as a ‘close friend’ and expressed a desire for dialogue to prevent further tragedies. He stated, “We want to engage with them, to talk about these issues, so that things like this don’t happen. This is our request to other countries too. This is not good for the people. Right now, the world is going through many challenges, and this is not good for anyone.”

These urgent calls for global attention arise amid escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, characterized by frequent cross-border skirmishes and airstrikes within Afghanistan, despite widespread appeals for a ceasefire. The situation is further complicated by Pakistan's allegations that Afghanistan harbors militants responsible for attacks within its borders, particularly from the Pakistani Taliban, which has ties to the Afghan Taliban that assumed control of Afghanistan in 2021 following the chaotic exit of U.S. forces. Kabul has denied these accusations.