In the wake of India’s overnight missile attacks on Pakistan, players from Pakistan Super League franchise Lahore Qalandars, including Shaheen Shah Afridi and Fakhar Zaman, joined a growing wave of national solidarity, voicing strong support for the Pakistan Armed Forces.

In a series of video messages, Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, along with Abdullah Shafique, Zaman Khan, and Naeem Khan, expressed pride in the military’s swift response and reiterated their love for the country and its defenders.

“We are proud of our armed forces who stood firm and defended the motherland,” Shaheen said. Fakhar Zaman added, “We are one nation. Pakistan Zindabad. We are proud of our brave soldiers.”

Other cricketers, including Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal, and Umar Akmal, also hailed the military’s robust retaliation and saluted the courage of the troops.

The show of unity from the sports community comes after India launched a cowardly assault on six Pakistani cities, killing nearly 30 civilians and injuring over 45. Pakistan responded decisively, shooting down five Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales, and destroying multiple enemy positions, the military confirmed.

In a press briefing, the DG ISPR stated that Pakistan’s air defences remain fully active and all aerial assets are secure. “We have responded and will continue to respond to every act of aggression. Defending this soil is our sacred duty,” he declared.

Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has called for a complete boycott of cricket ties with Pakistan, adding another layer of hostility to the escalating situation.

The surge of public and celebrity support has bolstered national morale, with many Pakistanis taking to social media to echo a single message: Pakistan stands united.