PCB Confirms Pakistan Tri-series Will Go On Despite Afghanistan’s Exit

The Pakistan Cricket Board had confirmed that the home tri-series would proceed as planned despite Afghanistan’s withdrawal following an alleged Pakistani airstrike

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the upcoming home tri-series in November will proceed as scheduled, despite Afghanistan’s withdrawal. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) pulled out of the series, set to be held from November 17 to 29 in Rawalpindi and Lahore, following claims that three young Afghan cricketers and five civilians were killed in a Pakistani airstrike in Urgun District amid rising military tensions between the two neighbours.

According to PTI, a senior PCB official stated that the board is exploring options to find a replacement for Afghanistan. The board is reportedly considering associate member teams like Nepal and the UAE, but its preference is to invite a Test-playing nation. Sri Lanka, the third member of the series, is expected to stay on as planned.

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“The Tri-Series will progress as scheduled even after Afghanistan’s withdrawal. We are looking at a replacement team and once finalised, the announcement will be made. The Tri-Series features a third team in Sri Lanka so it is on from 17th November,” the official said.

Tensions rise after deadly airstrike in Afghanistan

ACB’s decision came amid growing conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Although the two sides had agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire, Afghanistan’s Taliban government accused Pakistan of violating the truce with renewed airstrikes, escalating tensions further.

In an official statement, the ACB expressed “deep sorrow and grief” over the deaths of the young players — Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon — and called the assault a “cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.” The board added that the players were returning home to Urgun after participating in a friendly match in Paktika Province when the alleged airstrike took place.

Calling the tragedy a “great loss” for Afghanistan’s sporting community, the ACB said its decision to withdraw from the series was both an act of protest and a mark of respect for the victims.

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The now-cancelled tri-series would have been Afghanistan’s first participation in a multi-team tournament on Pakistani soil, following a similar series featuring the same sides held earlier this year in the UAE.