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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has rejected statements by Afghan Taliban authorities regarding civilian casualties from its cross-border military campaign, reiterating that its operations are directed against terrorist infrastructure. In a statement, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting&rsquo;s fact-checking unit said Pakistan&rsquo;s actions have been &ldquo;precise&rdquo; and focused on security objectives. &ldquo;It is well established that Pakistan has only undertaken precise targeting of Fitna al Khawarij and Afghan Taliban terrorist infrastructure in Afghanistan,&rdquo; the ministry said. Islamabad uses the term &ldquo;Fitna al Khawarij&rdquo; to refer to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, drawing on a historical reference to an early extremist faction in Islamic history that rejected legitimate authority and declared other Muslims as unbelievers. The clarification comes as Operation Ghazab lil Haq continues following weeks of cross-border tensions, with Islamabad stating that the campaign targets infrastructure used to support attacks inside Pakistan. The ministry said operational updates, including details of strikes and outcomes, have been shared regularly. &ldquo;Air strikes, destruction and capture of posts&hellip; are updated regularly with even clips of the strikes for all to see,&rdquo; the statement said. It added that Pakistan&rsquo;s approach remains focused on countering terrorism while avoiding civilian harm. The ministry also referred to recent security incidents inside Pakistan. &ldquo;The whole world is witness to the terrorist attacks&hellip; including the recent attack in Domail, Bannu where civilians, including women and children, were martyred,&rdquo; the statement said. It further stated that Afghan nationals had been involved in terrorist activities inside Pakistan, adding that related evidence had been presented at official forums, including the Balochistan home minister&rsquo;s conference. The ministry said statements and content circulated by Afghan Taliban-linked sources should be viewed with caution. It noted that certain spokespersons and affiliated outlets were &ldquo;well known to regularly post fake, old&hellip; propaganda videos and assertions,&rdquo; highlighting what it described as a pattern of contested narratives during the conflict. The development comes as Pakistan continues diplomatic engagement alongside its security operations. Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Islamabad remains committed to dialogue but expects tangible steps on the ground. &ldquo;The burden of real process&hellip; lies with Afghanistan, which must demonstrate visible and verifiable actions against terrorist groups using its soil against Pakistan,&rdquo; Andrabi said. Pakistan maintains that its operations are based on verified intelligence and are aimed at addressing threats posed by terrorist groups, while supporting efforts toward dialogue and regional stability.

Foreign Affairs

 Pakistan’s information ministry says it is “well established that Pakistan has only undertaken precise targeting of Fitna al Khwarij and Afghan Taliban terrorist infrastructure”; Islamabad is participating in the dialogue process but expects concrete action from Afghan authorities.


Pakistan rejects Afghan Taliban civilian casualty claims amid tensions

Syed Ahmed Raza

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Saturday that Zimbabwe will replace Afghanistan in the upcoming T20 International tri-series to be held next month. PCB spokesperson Amir Mir told Pakistan TV Digital that the series, featuring Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe, will be played from November 17 to 29 across Rawalpindi and Lahore. This will mark the first-ever T20 tri-series hosted on Pakistani soil. &ldquo;The event aims to help all participating teams prepare for the ICC Men&rsquo;s T20 World Cup scheduled in India and Sri Lanka next year,&rdquo; Mir said. The tri-series will open with Pakistan facing Zimbabwe at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on November 17, followed by Sri Lanka taking on Zimbabwe on November 19. The remaining matches &mdash; including the final on November 29 &mdash; will be played at Lahore&rsquo;s Gaddafi Stadium. Afghanistan had earlier informed the PCB of its inability to participate, but the board confirmed the series would proceed as planned with Zimbabwe stepping in.&nbsp;Tri-Series Schedule:Nov 17: Pakistan vs Zimbabwe &ndash; RawalpindiNov 19: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe &ndash; RawalpindiNov 22: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka &ndash; LahoreNov 23: Pakistan vs Zimbabwe &ndash; LahoreNov 25: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe &ndash; LahoreNov 27: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka &ndash; LahoreNov 29: Final &ndash; Lahore

Cricket

Zimbabwe will replace Afghanistan in a T20 tri-series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka from November 17–29 in Rawalpindi and Lahore, marking Pakistan’s first home T20 tri-series ahead of next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Zimbabwe join Pakistan, Sri Lanka in T20 tri-series next month

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s national football team faces Afghanistan on Tuesday in a must-win AFC Asian Cup qualification match for Saudi Arabia 2027, aiming to revive their campaign after a 0-0 draw previously. The match is taking place at Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah Stadium in Ardiyah, Kuwait. Pakistan head coach Nolberto Solano said ahead of the match, &ldquo;We [are determined] to win, the focus is on getting three points. It&rsquo;s football &mdash; anything can happen. We&rsquo;ll also have another chance against Syria at home in [&hellip;] but tomorrow&rsquo;s game is key.&rdquo; <img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/a55d3c9c-6965-4c82-9d01-02ef396d7a43-2.jpg" alt="Pakistani national football team practice ahead of their match against Afghanistan. (PFF)" class="fr-fil fr-dib"><figcaption class="caption-cover-image text-sm text-gray-600 italic">Pakistani national football team practice ahead of their match against Afghanistan. (PFF)</figcaption> Squad Solano confirmed no major lineup changes, with goalkeeper Saqib Hanif and captain Abdullah Iqbal leading the squad. Mohammad Fazal, Syed Abdullah Shah, Mohib Afridi, Tufail Khan, Haris Ali Zeb, Etzaz Hussain, Otis Khan, Mckeal Aaron Abdullah, and Ahmed Faraz complete the lineup. 0-0 draw against Afghanistan The first leg between Pakistan and Afghanistan, played at Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad, ended in a 0-0 stalemate. Pakistan dominated possession and created numerous chances but were repeatedly frustrated by Afghanistan&rsquo;s defense and goalkeeper Ovays Aziz&rsquo;s key saves. A critical moment came in the 67th minute when Pakistan was awarded a penalty, but Otis Khan shot the ball over the bar. Despite disappointment from the home draw, Solano praised his young team. &ldquo;We were a little disappointed [but] we&rsquo;re a team that loves the ball. This is part of the process&mdash;these young lads are playing together for the first time, and I am very pleased with their performances.&rdquo; Pakistan&rsquo;s Group E campaign so far Pakistan&rsquo;s road in Group E has been difficult, with two prior losses: &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;A 2-0 defeat to Syria (23-minute opener by Ahmad Faqa and captain Omar Alsoma&rsquo;s second half goal) at Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Stadium, Saudi Arabia, on 25 March. &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;A 1-0 loss to Myanmar at Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon, sealed by a precise free-kick from Than Paing on 10 June. Group E Points Table (as of latest matches) <table width="750" id="isPasted"><thead><tr><td>Position</td><td>Team</td><td>Played</td><td>Wins</td><td>Draws</td><td>Losses</td><td>Goals For</td><td>Goals Against</td><td>Goal Difference</td><td>Points</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Syria</td><td>4</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>11</td><td>1</td><td>+10</td><td>12</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Myanmar</td><td>4</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>4</td><td>9</td><td>-5</td><td>6</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Afghanistan</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>-4</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Pakistan</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>-3</td><td>1</td></tr></tbody></table> Both teams are currently trailing behind group leaders Syria and Myanmar in the race for the only qualification spot to the 2027 Asian Cup. Rising popularity of football in Pakistan The Afghanistan vs Pakistan qualifier attracted significant fan interest, with over 7,345 attendees filling Jinnah Stadium. The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) celebrated the turnout, stating on Instagram, &ldquo;7,345 fans filled the stadium with passion, pride, and energy.&rdquo; Upcoming matches Pakistan will face Syria on Tuesday in another Group E qualifier. 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualification overview The Asian Cup qualification pathway involves 46 AFC member nations competing across four rounds, with the first two rounds doubling as the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for Asia. The top 18 teams from the second round, plus Saudi Arabia as hosts, automatically qualify. Remaining teams compete in the current third round for the last six tournament spots. So far in the third round, six group winners have emerged as qualifiers: Philippines (Group A), Lebanon (Group B), Hong Kong (Group C), Thailand (Group D), Syria (Group E), and Malaysia (Group F). The 2027 AFC Asian Cup will be hosted in Saudi Arabia from 7 January to 5 February 2027, featuring 24 teams competing for continental glory.

Pakistan national football team warm up ahead of the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Afghanistan on November 14, 2025. (PFF)

Football

Pakistan and Afghanistan meet in key AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier in Kuwait, aiming to advance despite earlier goalless draw and tough Group E challenges.

Pakistan vs Afghanistan: Neighbors clash in AFC Asian Cup qualifier

Mariam Ellahi

ISLAMABAD: As the final whistle blew at Islamabad&rsquo;s Jinnah Stadium on Thursday night, the scoreboard read 0-0, &nbsp;but for the crowd spilling out into the cool evening air, the result meant more than just numbers.&nbsp;For many fans, it was an evening of renewed belief that football in Pakistan is finally finding its rhythm. Inside the stadium, Pakistan and Afghanistan fought a tense, end-to-end battle in their AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier. Both sides pressed hard, but neither could break the deadlock.&nbsp;Pakistan&rsquo;s defense, led by Sweden-based Abdullah Iqbal, kept Afghanistan&rsquo;s forwards at bay, while Shayak Dost and Ahmed Faraz came close on the counter. The biggest moment came when Otis Khan&rsquo;s penalty kick flew over the bar, a miss that drew collective gasps from the stands.&nbsp;But outside the stadium, disappointment quickly gave way to pride and optimism.&nbsp;&ldquo;This was a really positive performance for Pakistan,&rdquo; said Zain, a university student draped in a green flag. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve faced so many hardships in our football journey, but today felt different. You could feel the energy. The new faces, the fight. It gives hope to every young footballer dreaming of wearing that green shirt one day.&rdquo;&nbsp;Nearby, Saif, another football enthusiast, praised both teams for their spirit. &ldquo;It was a close, cutting-edge contest,&rdquo; he told Pakistan TV Digital. &ldquo;Pakistan missed a few chances, but the brotherhood between Pakistani and Afghan fans was beautiful. We were joking, cheering together, it felt like football was uniting us.&rdquo;&nbsp;The match also drew fans who usually follow cricket, signaling a cultural shift. Rimsha, a former athlete attending her first live football game, said the sight of packed stands gave her goosebumps.&nbsp;&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve grown up in a cricket-crazy country,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;but tonight showed that Pakistanis love football too. It&rsquo;s amazing to see families, women, and kids all here supporting the team.&rdquo;&nbsp;Head coach Nolberto Solano, speaking after the match, echoed the fans&rsquo; optimism. &ldquo;These players have shown great effort and commitment,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;They deserve more opportunities to compete at this level, and more support from the nation.&rdquo;&nbsp;As fans drifted out into the Islamabad night, flags still waving and chants echoing faintly, one thing was clear: even without goals, Pakistan&rsquo;s football revival has found its heartbeat and its believers.

AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifier - Pakistan vs Afghanistan (PFF)

Pakistan will face Afghanistan again on October 14 in Kuwait, where both teams will fight for their first win in Group E. With morale high after Islamabad’s draw, Pakistan aims to convert promise into points.

Pakistan, Afghanistan battle to goalless stalemate in Asian Cup qualifier

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said Wednesday that visa issues facing Afghanistan&rsquo;s national football team have been resolved, clearing the way for the side to travel to Islamabad for Thursday&rsquo;s AFC Asian Cup qualifier at Jinnah Stadium.&nbsp;Uncertainty had surrounded the match after reports emerged that Afghan players were unable to secure visas in time.&nbsp;On Tuesday, Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) president Mohsen Gilani said Afghanistan&rsquo;s federation had failed to ensure the presence of its full squad at the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul for biometric verification, as several players were based outside the country.&nbsp;The Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF), meanwhile, had claimed that it sent the initial list of players to the embassy on September 18 and that &ldquo;despite repeated follow-ups and official contacts, visas have not been issued to the players and officials,&rdquo; according to Afghan Voice Agency.&nbsp;On Wednesday, Minister Naqvi confirmed via social media that the issue had been settled. Responding to a journalist&rsquo;s post about the matter, he wrote: &ldquo;Issued now. Thank you for highlighting it.&rdquo;&nbsp;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1975845451263090855&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=acb94bb54b68cc319ffff5d9d95b86c6f16b728d&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 329px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="1975845451263090855"></iframe></div></div>&nbsp;Reports from Afghanistan noted that the squad had gathered in Dubai on Tuesday evening, awaiting visa clearance. With the matter now resolved, the team is set to arrive in Islamabad in time for the qualifier.&nbsp;Both Pakistan and Afghanistan are still searching for their first points in Group E after defeats to Syria and Myanmar in their opening matches. The two sides will meet again in a return fixture in Al Ardiya, Kuwait, on October 14.&nbsp;The winner of the group will secure qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, to be held in Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are set to face off on Thursday in search of their first points in Group E after defeats to Syria and Myanmar in their opening matches.

Visa issue for Afghanistan squad resolved ahead of Asian Cup clash

ISLAMABAD: Mohammad Nawaz claimed a maiden T20I five-wicket haul, including a hat-trick, as Pakistan routed Afghanistan by 75 runs to win the UAE tri-nation series final in Sharjah on Sunday.&nbsp;Chasing 141, Afghanistan were bundled out for just 66 in 15.2 overs &mdash; their lowest total in T20 internationals against Pakistan.&nbsp;Spinners rulePakistan&rsquo;s decision to field three specialist spinners on a favorable surface paid dividends, with spinners taking nine of the 10 wickets. Nawaz ran through Afghanistan&rsquo;s top and middle order with figures of 5-19, while Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Muqeem took two apiece. Shaheen Afridi chipped in with one. The left-arm spinner&#39;s game-changing spell included four wickets in six balls across two overs.&nbsp;Batsmen struggleBatting on Sharjah&rsquo;s gripping, slow wicket was not an easy ask for Pakistan. Sahibzada Farhan fell for a first-ball duck in the opening over, setting the tone for a faltering innings in which no Pakistani batter passed 30.&nbsp;Fakhar Zaman top-scored with 27 while Nawaz contributed a valuable 25 off 21 balls lower down the order. Rashid Khan was the pick of Afghanistan&rsquo;s bowlers, taking 3-38, though he conceded 17 runs in a pivotal 17th over.&nbsp;Nawaz bulldozes throughAfghanistan&rsquo;s start was not ideal either. They lost Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the first over to Shaheen Shah Afridi, before Nawaz capitalised with his triple strike. He trapped Darwish Rasooli lbw, dismissed Azmatullah Omarzai with an edge to slip, and completed his hat-trick by deceiving Ibrahim Zadran in flight to have him stumped.&nbsp;Nawaz then removed Karim Janat and Rashid Khan to complete a memorable performance, silencing a pro-Afghanistan crowd on a night where their side produced their poorest outing of the series.&nbsp;Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the team on the win.&nbsp;&quot;Very well played <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/BoysInGreen?src=hashtag_click">#BoysInGreen</a>. Congratulations to Team Pakistan on winning the Tri-Series,&quot; he <a href="https://x.com/CMShehbaz/status/1964882491619291171">wrote on X</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;The victory gives Pakistan a timely confidence boost ahead of next week&#39;s Asia Cup, while Afghanistan reflect on a missed opportunity in their first appearance in a tri-series final.&nbsp;

Pakistan spinners took 9 wickets as Afghanistan folded for 66, chasing 141

Nawaz’s hat-trick helps Pakistan rout Afghanistan in tri-series final

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;Pakistan and Afghanistan lock horns in the final of the tri-nation cricket series in Sharjah on Sunday, ahead of the upcoming Mens T20 Asia Cup 2025 set to begin on Tuesday, September 9.&nbsp; Originally scheduled as a bilateral series to help both teams gear up for the Asia Cup, the series was expanded into a tri-nation contest with the inclusion of the host nation. While the venue in Sharjah differs from the Asia Cup&#39;s locations&mdash;Abu Dhabi and Dubai&mdash;the playing conditions offer valuable match simulation ahead of the regional tournament. Pakistan vs Afghanistan head-to-headBoth sides played four games in the tournament, with each winning three and losing one. &nbsp;They came face to face twice, winning one game each. In their most recent head-to-head encounters, Pakistan claimed a 39-run victory in the opening match, before Afghanistan responded with an 18-run win in the second. The final promises a tightly contested finish. The overall T20I record remains narrowly in Pakistan&rsquo;s favour, with five wins to Afghanistan&rsquo;s four.&nbsp; AfghanistanAfghanistan&#39;s batting has not let them down. Their top order, led by Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal, has been in strong form. Both batters notched half-centuries, and the middle order chipped in when required. It was their bowling, however, that won them the games and will be key in the forthcoming regional tournament. Their spin department, anchored by captain Rashid Khan and comprising Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, and Mohammad Nabi, is world-class. Left-arm seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi has been instrumental with the new ball. PakistanPakistan&rsquo;s batting unit has shown signs of fragility at the top, though contributions from Salman Ali Agha and Fakhar Zaman have provided stability. The middle order will be under pressure to deliver rapid runs if early wickets fall.&nbsp; On the bowling front, Haris Rauf&rsquo;s pace remains a key weapon, with spinners Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, and Sufyan Moqim expected to play important roles in containing Afghanistan&rsquo;s lineup. With both teams boasting match-winners across departments, the final is set up as a clash between Afghanistan&rsquo;s spin-heavy attack and Pakistan&rsquo;s all-round firepower. The Sharjah surface has generally favoured batters, pointing to the likelihood of a high-scoring contest. Afghanistan SquadRashid Khan (capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad, Abdollah Ahmadzai, Fazalhaq Farooqi Pakistan SquadSalman Ali Agha (capt), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim

Both teams have in-form players, setting the stage for a competitive, high-scoring match

Articles tagged with "Pakistan vs Afghanistan"