Amu: Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh by a massive 200 runs in the third and final one-day international on Tuesday, sealing a dominant 3–0 series sweep at Sheikh Zayed Stadium. The result marks one of Afghanistan’s most comprehensive ODI victories and underlines their growing dominance in the format ahead of major international tournaments. Click here to read more (external link).
Other Cricket News
Khawaja Muhammad Asif
Afghanistan International: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that the Taliban were originally a creation of Pakistan, developed during its alliance with the United States, but have now become “untrustworthy.” Click here to read more (external link).
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Ariana: The Pamir Stars claimed a hard-fought victory over Kabul Zalmi on Monday in the sixth match of the third season of the Amir Hajizada Kabul Premier League (AHKPL), played at the Ayoubi Sports Complex in Kabul. Kabul Zalmi won the toss and opted to bowl first, but Pamir Stars made full use of their innings, posting an impressive 208 runs for six wickets in 20 overs. Despite a determined chase, Kabul Zalmi fell short of the target, handing the Pamir Stars an 11-run win after an intense encounter. Click here to read more (external link).
By Frud Bezhan and Daud Khattak
October 13, 2025
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
A full-blown conflict between Afghanistan’s Taliban and neighboring Pakistan seemed unthinkable when the hard-line Islamist group, a longtime ally of Islamabad, seized power in 2021 as international troops withdrew and the government they supported collapsed.
But fears have heightened of an all-out war after the deadliest-ever clashes involving Taliban fighters and Pakistani troops over the weekend.
“This confrontation is hugely significant and could have long-term consequences for the countries,” said Sami Yousafzai, an Afghan political commentator.
Fierce fighting erupted between Taliban fighters and Pakistani security forces on October 11-12, leaving dozens dead and key border crossings closed.
The border clashes occurred just days after Pakistan carried out unprecedented drone strikes in the center of Kabul as well as air strikes in the country’s east.
Pakistan’s strikes followed a string of deadly attacks by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) extremist group. Islamabad accuses the Afghan Taliban of sheltering the TTP, an allegation it denies.
Taliban fighters and Pakistani soldiers have sporadically clashed along the countries’ 2,600-kilometer border since 2021. But the ferocity of the violence and the explosive rhetoric marked a shift, experts say.
“The Taliban’s silent tolerance of the TTP and its growing nationalist tone have shattered Islamabad’s long-held expectations of a friendly government in Kabul,” said Khalid Sultan, an Islamabad-based commentator.
Islamabad had supported the Taliban since the group first emerged in the 1990s, including allegedly during the group’s 20-year insurgency against the US-backed Afghan government.
The strategy, experts say, was to install a pliant government in Kabul that would secure Pakistani interests. But that strategy appears to have backfired.
In the event of a broader war, Pakistan holds the military and technological advantage, experts say, but the Taliban also has the capability to counter punch.
“Taliban fighters are seasoned insurgents and will likely find a new cause for jihad (holy war) that will sustain their momentum to fight for a longer period,” said Hameed Hakimi, an associate fellow at London’s Chatham House think tank.
“Additionally, a protracted war with Pakistan could also offer Taliban leaders an avenue to garner domestic support due to an inherent resentment against the Pakistani security establishment in Afghanistan,” he added.
Reducing Tensions
Despite the growing tensions, fueled in part by a massive initiative in Islamabad to repatriate some 4 million Afghans back home, Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban are unlikely to go to war, experts say.
The cash-strapped Taliban government in Kabul is internationally isolated. Only Russia has recognized it. The Islamist group has also been unable to address the economic and humanitarian crises gripping the impoverished country.
Pakistan, meanwhile, is also grappling with economic strain and political instability. It also waged a brief war with archrival India in May.
“Both sides have an interest in reducing tensions from this point onwards,” said Arifa Noor, a Pakistani commentator and journalist.
“For the government in Kabul, it makes no sense to add to its challenges by getting involved in friction and conflict on its border,” she added. “The same stands true for Islamabad.”
Thaw With India
Growing tensions between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban could push Kabul closer to India, experts say.
In a move that has angered Pakistan, the Taliban’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi arrived in New Delhi on October 10 for a week of talks. It is the Taliban’s highest-level visit to the country since the group took power.
During the first day of talks, New Delhi announced it was upgrading its mission in Kabul to a full embassy. The sides were also expected to discuss trade and economic ties.
India was a close ally of the former Western-backed Afghan government and invested heavily in the country.
“Increasing hostilities with Kabul could simply push the regime there closer to New Delhi,” said Noor.
“This is hardly a situation that suits Pakistan. In fact, Islamabad’s main contention during the past was that the close relations between Kabul and New Delhi worked against Pakistan’s interests.”
Donald Trump
Amu: On his way to the Middle East, President Trump said he is prepared to mediate between “Afghanistan and Pakistan” amid rising tensions and deadly border clashes between the Pakistani forces and the Taliban. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Israel, Trump said he had been briefed on the situation but would wait until his return before addressing it directly. “I hear there’s a war now between Pakistan and Afghanistan,” Trump said. “I said, I’ll have to wait till I get back. I’m doing another one because I’m good at solving wars. I’m good at making peace.” Click here to read more (external link).
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Amu: Afghanistan’s national wrestling team claimed eight medals and secured first place in the team rankings at the United World Wrestling Championship in Alexandria, Egypt. The Afghan athletes earned two gold, three silver, and three bronze medals in individual competitions, showcasing strong performances across several weight categories. The team was awarded the overall championship trophy, marking a significant achievement on the international stage. Click here to read more (external link).
Forbes: On October 8-10, 2025, the People’s Tribunal for Women of Afghanistan, part of the Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal (PPT), an international opinion tribunal competent to rule on any serious crime committed to the detriment of peoples and communities, held public hearings in Madrid. The Tribunal is an initiative to add to the existing pathways to hold the Taliban accountable for their crimes and demand justice, raise the alarm about the normalization of the Taliban’s oppression of women and give women and girls their chance to be heard around the world. Click here to read more (external link).
Zabihullah Mujahid
Amu: At least 58 Pakistani soldiers and nine Taliban fighters were killed in weekend border clashes, Taliban chief spokesman said Sunday, marking one of the deadliest confrontations between the two sides in recent years. Zabihullah Mujahid said they launched a retaliatory operation Saturday night “along the Durand Line”, the disputed frontier between Afghanistan and Pakistan, following Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory the previous day. Click here to read more (external link).
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