Azmatullah Omarzai Slams Pakistan Over Deadly Kabul Airstrike Ahead of IPL 2026 Return

March 17, 2026: Afghanistan’s all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai expressed grief after a Pakistani airstrike killed over 400 people in Kabul late last night. Omarzai said he heard a “powerful explosion” and prayed for justice and peace. He recently played in the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and will return as part of Punjab Kings for IPL 2026.

“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 opened their fasts, innocent lives were lost and many others wounded. My heart is with every family mourning tonight. Kabul is grieving. We pray for justice and for peace,” he wrote on X.

Deadly Strike Hits Hospital and Drug Facility

Reports say hundreds of people were killed or injured when an airstrike hit a major drug rehabilitation facility in Kabul. Taliban officials blamed Pakistan and said about 400 people died, with 250 more injured, making it one of the deadliest attacks in recent years.

Videos on social media showed a large explosion with flames and thick smoke rising from the hospital. Other clips showed security personnel carrying bodies while firefighters tried to control the fire.

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 opened their fasts, innocent lives were lost and many others wounded.

My heart is with…

— Azmatullah Omarzai (@AzmatOmarzay) March 17, 2026

Not only Omarzai, 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."

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,… pic.twitter.com/DbFRRh2qAJ

— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) March 16, 2026

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."

Omarzai’s IPL Journey

Omarzai joined Punjab Kings in IPL 2025. The upcoming season will be his third in the IPL. He previously played for Gujarat Titans but was released before the mega auction, where Punjab Kings bought him for ₹2.4 crore. Overall, Omarzai has played 16 IPL games, scoring 99 runs and taking 12 wickets.