At least 45 people have been killed after a suicide bombing at a volleyball tournament in Afghanistan.

The blasts took place at a crowded stadium, and most of the victims were civilians. Reports suggest that dozens more have been wounded.

According to officials, the bomber detonated his explosives vest after mingling with spectators on foot.

A spokesman for the governor of Paktika province said: "There were too many people gathered in the one place to watch the game. Dozens of others are wounded and we have reports that many of them are in critical condition.

"We need urgent help from the central government because we might need to transfer wounded people to Kabul for treatment."

This is one of the deadliest attacks to rock Afghanistan this year. Hours earlier, it was confirmed the combat role of US and NATO troops has been extended into 2015.