Afghanistan had withdrawn from the upcoming T20 tri-series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka following the death of its cricketers in an alleged Pakistani airstrike.
Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) withdrew from the scheduled T20 tri-series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka following the death of three Afghan cricketers and five civilians in Urgun District after an alleged Pakistani airstrike.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had announced the tri-series last month. The event was set to begin on November 17 and continue till November 29, with matches planned in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Background of the incident
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated in recent weeks, with both sides claiming dozens of casualties during a series of violent clashes. The two countries, once allies, agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire on Wednesday. However, the Taliban, which governs Afghanistan, accused Pakistan of breaking the ceasefire with fresh strikes.
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In an official statement, the ACB said, “The Afghanistan Cricket Board expresses its deepest sorrow and grief over the tragic martyrdom of the brave cricketers from Urgun District in Paktika Province, who were targeted this evening in a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.”
“In this heartbreaking incident, three players (Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon) alongside 5 other fellow countrymen from Urgun District were martyred, and seven others were injured. The players had earlier traveled to Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, to participate in a friendly cricket match. After returning home to Urgun, they were targeted during a gathering,” the statement continued.
ACB’s decision and message of solidarity
“The ACB considers this a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family. The ACB also extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the bereaved families of the martyrs and to the people of Paktika Province. In response of this tragic incident and as a gesture of respect to the victims, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to withdraw from participating in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan, scheduled to be played in late November,” the post stated.
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The board concluded its statement with a message of strength and solidarity with the victims’ families. This would have been the second tri-series between Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2025. The first was held earlier in the UAE, just before the 2025 Asia Cup. The now-cancelled tournament would have marked their first such meeting on Pakistani soil.
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