Afghanistan’s star all-rounder Rashid Khan suffered a personal loss as his elder brother, Haji Abdul Halim Shinwari, passed away.

Players from both Afghanistan and Pakistan extended their prayers and condolences, with the Pakistan cricket team paying tribute after their opening match in the tri-nation T20 series.

Pakistan team pays tribute after T20I opener

The news of Rashid Khan’s brother’s death emerged shortly after the first T20 of the tri-nation series, where Pakistan defeated Afghanistan by 39 runs.

Despite his grief, Rashid stepped onto the field and lifted his team’s morale with a quick-fire 39 runs off just 16 balls.

During the post-match moments, Pakistan’s players joined Afghanistan’s squad in offering condolences to Rashid Khan and his family. Team officials also acknowledged his strength in continuing to represent his country under such difficult circumstances.

Emotional support across cricketing circles

Haji Abdul Halim Shinwari was regarded as a respected figure in his community. Messages of sympathy poured in across social media, with fans and fellow cricketers highlighting Rashid Khan’s resilience and commitment.

Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, and Faheem Ashraf stood out with strong batting performances to secure Pakistan’s 39-run victory. But the match was overshadowed by the shared grief, showing the bond between the cricketing communities of Pakistan and Afghanistan.