Afghanistan withdrew from the upcoming T20I tri-series Pakistan following recent airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province that reportedly killed three young Afghan cricketers. Originally scheduled to start on November 17 in Lahore, the series was to feature Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. However, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced its decision to withdraw from the event in protest.
The tragic incident has further strained the tense relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The ACB stated that the deaths of the players, Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon, along with other civilians in the airstrikes, was a “cowardly act” by the Pakistani regime. The decision to withdraw, the ACB clarified, was made out of respect for the victims and in solidarity with the affected families.
“In response to this tragic incident and as a gesture of respect to the victims, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to withdraw from participation in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan to be played at the end of November. The Afghanistan Cricket Board expresses its deepest grief and sorrow over the tragic martyrdom of the brave cricketers from Urgun district of the Paktika province, which tonight was the target of a cowardly attack by the Pakistani regime.
The ACB considers this a great loss to the Afghan sporting community, its athletes and the cricket family. The ACB also expresses its deepest condolences and solidarity with the relatives of the martyrs and with the people of Paktika province,” ACB said in a statement.
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Afghan captain Rashid Khan also condemned the attack. Despite the setback, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the tri-series will go ahead as planned, with a replacement team expected to be announced soon. All matches will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with the final on November 29.
“The Tri-Series will proceed as planned even after the withdrawal from Afghanistan. We are looking at a replacement team and once it is ready, the announcement will be made,” a senior PCB official said on Saturday.
According to reports, the PCB is already in active talks with three cricket boards, Zimbabwe, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to fill the vacant spot left by Afghanistan. According to sources, Zimbabwe is the frontrunner as the PCB prefers a test country with full members.
Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council (ICC) released a statement expressing deep sorrow over the loss of the Afghan cricketers. The ICC condemned the violence and extended its condolences to the ACB and the affected families.
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