Cricket stands still! Why Pakistan and Afghanistan players observed silence before T20I clash in Sharjah

NEW DELHI: A one-minute silence was observed at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium before the start of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Tri-Series match, in memory of the victims of the devastating earthquake in Afghanistan and the floods in Pakistan.

Players from both sides lined up solemnly as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives in the twin tragedies.Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan also expressed his grief on social media, posting an emotional message. “Heartbroken for my people in Kunar after the devastating earthquake,” Rashid wrote, as prayers and condolences poured in from across the cricketing world.

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The 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late on Sunday, flattening entire villages and leaving widespread destruction in its wake.

According to officials, at least 800 people have been confirmed dead, while more than 2,500 others have been injured. The toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue in remote, mountainous regions.The epicenter was located near Jalalabad, an eastern city of about 200,000 residents, less than 100 miles from Kabul and close to the Pakistan border. The shallow depth of just five miles made the quake particularly destructive.

Videos shared on social media showed residents rushing through the night to rescue neighbors trapped beneath collapsed mud and brick houses. The United Nations confirmed that four eastern provinces — Nangarhar, Nuristan, Laghman and Kunar — have been badly affected. Dozens of villages in Kunar were reduced to rubble.Strong tremors were felt across the region, including parts of Pakistan, though no major casualties were reported there. Meanwhile, international aid has been slow to arrive, with only a handful of countries so far offering assistance to the Taliban-led Afghan government.As the cricket went ahead in Sharjah, the sombre scenes served as a reminder of the human suffering unfolding across the border.