Kabul, October 18 (Daily Kiran): The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Saturday announced its decision to withdraw from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20 International Series scheduled to be held in Pakistan later this year. The tournament, set to take place at the end of November, was to feature Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan.
The ACB’s decision comes in the wake of a deadly airstrike in Afghanistan’s Paktika province on Friday evening that reportedly killed eight Afghan cricketers and injured seven others. The players — identified as Kabir, Sibgatullah, Haroon, and others — were participating in a local friendly match in Sharana, the provincial capital, when the attack took place.
In an official statement, the Afghanistan Cricket Board said:
“In light of this tragic incident and in honor of our martyred players, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to withdraw from the upcoming Tri-Nation Series in Pakistan.”
The ACB directly blamed Pakistan for the strike, condemning what it called a “cowardly attack by the Pakistani regime” that targeted “brave Afghan cricketers in Urgun district.”
Calling it a “massive loss for the Afghan sporting community,” the board expressed deep sorrow and condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Paktika province.
Afghan fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi also condemned the assault on social media, writing on his official Facebook page:
“The martyrdom of civilians and our domestic cricket players is an unforgivable crime. Those who massacre innocents must be held accountable.”
The withdrawal marks another low point in Afghanistan–Pakistan relations, which have deteriorated sharply following recent cross-border airstrikes. Experts believe that the growing hostility could even impact future ICC events, where handshakes or on-field camaraderie between players from the two nations may become increasingly unlikely.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
