The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has withdrawn from the upcoming tri-series in Pakistan following the death of three local players in a cross-border attack. In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that Zimbabwe will replace Afghanistan in the tournament, according to a release on Saturday.
According to reports, Pakistan carried out an airstrike in Paktika province, Afghanistan, killing three cricketers. Pakistan has violated the ceasefire between the two nations. The ACB expressed deep sorrow over the deaths, calling it a significant loss to the country’s sporting community and athletes.
Zimbabwe joins Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Tri-Series
Zimbabwe will join Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the upcoming tri-series. The Pakistan Cricket Board declared Afghanistan’s withdrawal from the tournament, which was scheduled to take place from November 17 to 29. The series will mainly serve as preparation for next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
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“Afghanistan has expressed its inability to participate in the tournament. Zimbabwe Cricket has accepted the Pakistan Cricket Board’s invitation to participate in a T20I tri-series also featuring Sri Lanka to be staged in Rawalpindi and Lahore from November 17 to 29,” the PCB said.
“The first tri-series on Pakistani soil is planned to provide all three teams with preparation for next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be held in India and Sri Lanka,” it added.
Pakistan Cricket Board releases new schedule for Tri-Series
The tri-series begins on November 17 with hosts Pakistan taking on Zimbabwe at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Sri Lanka will play Zimbabwe at the same venue on November 19.
After the opening matches, the tournament shifts to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, where the remaining five matches will take place. The two teams will advance to the final, which will take place on November 29.
Before the tri-series, Pakistan will also host Sri Lanka in a three-match bilateral T20 series scheduled from November 11 to 15. The Men in Green recently lost to India in the 2025 Asia Cup final in Dubai.
Tri-Series T20I Tournament (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe):
| Date | Agreement | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 17 | Pakistan vs Zimbabwe | Rawalpindi |
| Nov 19 | Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe | Rawalpindi |
| Nov 22 | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Lahore |
| Nov 23 | Pakistan vs Zimbabwe | Lahore |
| Nov 25 | Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe | Lahore |
| Nov 27 | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Lahore |
| Nov 29 | Final | Lahore |
Saddened by the loss of civilian lives – Rashid Khan
The cross-border attack in Paktika, Afghanistan, which tragically claimed the lives of three cricketers, has been condemned by the global cricket community.
Notably, the International Cricket Council (ICC) condemned the act of violence, while BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia expressed his condolences to the Afghan cricket community.
Afghan T20I captain Rashid Khan also expressed his grief on social media, saying he was “saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan.”
Former captain Gulbadin Naib said: “We are deeply saddened by the cowardly military attack in Argun, Paktika, which left innocent civilians and fellow cricketers dead,” he said.
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