A suicide bomber detonated his explosive vest at a checkpoint outside a cricket stadium in the Afghan capital of Kabul while a T20 match was underway, killing at least three people and injuring seven more. The Afghanistan Cricket Board confirmed the blast. Two policemen and a civilian were killed by the blast, interior ministry spokesman Najib Danesh said. Initial reports had said the explosion occurred at one of the gates of the stadium but officials later clarified that the bomber had blown himself up near a checkpoint. At least seven security personnel and civilians were injured.
Officials also said all players participating in a Shpageeza Cricket League match within the stadium and the spectators were safe. They added the match was stopped immediately after the blast. The league is a professional T20 series that was started in 2013. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. Kabul has witnessed devastating attacks by both the Taliban and the Islamic State in recent months. Cricket has become one of Afghanistan’s most popular sports and the national team, many of whose members have trained in India, has become increasingly successful, raising the profile of the game. A small number of foreign players are playing in the league.
