The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced its withdrawal from upcoming cricket engagements with Pakistan, including the planned T20 Tri-Nation series and bilateral T20 matches. The decision follows national mourning after the tragic deaths of Afghan players in Paktika province.
The ACB confirmed that Afghanistan will not participate in the T20 Tri-Nation series scheduled in Pakistan from November 17 to 29. The tournament, originally set to feature Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, will now continue without Afghanistan. A replacement team will be announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) soon.
In an official statement, the ACB expressed “deep sorrow and grief” over the killing of Afghan players from Urgun district in Paktika province. Three players – Kabir, Sibghatullah, and Haroon – were reportedly killed during a Pakistan–Afghanistan border clash involving shelling. The board said five other people also lost their lives and seven were injured in the incident.
“The Afghanistan Cricket Board expresses its heartfelt condolences and solidarity with the families of the martyrs and the people of Paktika,” the statement read. The players had traveled to Sharana, Paktika’s main city, to take part in a friendly cricket match when the attack occurred.
The ACB also canceled bilateral T20 matches with Pakistan, signaling a further strain in cricket relations between the two neighboring countries. The board emphasized that these decisions come out of national tragedy and respect for the grieving families.
Despite Afghanistan’s withdrawal, the PCB confirmed that the T20 Tri-Nation series in Pakistan will proceed as planned. Matches will be held in Rawalpindi and Lahore, with Pakistan and Sri Lanka competing alongside a replacement team.
The series was initially meant to feature Afghanistan’s first-ever T20 International matches in Pakistan, including an opening clash on November 17 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
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The remaining fixtures, including the final, will take place at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, with the title match scheduled for November 29. Officials stated that arrangements for the tri-series are continuing smoothly despite Afghanistan’s absence.
