ACB Pulls Out of Pakistan Tri-Series Amid Growing Tensions

On Saturday, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced that they have chosen to withdraw from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series with Pakistan, which was to take place in late November.

Afghanistan was initially set to visit Pakistan for the tri-series featuring Sri Lanka and the hosts starting November 17.

The ACB explained that their decision to delay the tour is in response to the tragic loss of cricketers from Urgun District in Paktika Province, who were targeted on Friday night, October 17, in an attack.

The players, Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, along with five others from Urgun District, lost their lives, and seven more were injured. They had traveled to Sharana, Paktika Province’s capital, for a friendly cricket match.

“As a gesture of respect for the victims, ACB has opted to withdraw from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series featuring Pakistan, scheduled for late November,” stated ACB in a press release.

“The Afghanistan Cricket Board expresses profound sorrow and grief over the tragic loss of the courageous cricketers from Urgun District, who were targeted in a cowardly assault by the Pakistani regime,” the statement added.

The ACB considers this a significant loss for Afghanistan’s sports community and its athletes. The board extends its deepest condolences and support to the families of the deceased and the people of Paktika Province.

Left-arm fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi expressed on his official Facebook page that the act was despicable.

“The murder of innocent civilians and our domestic cricket players by the oppressors is an unforgivable crime,” Farooqi stated. “The massacre is a heinous, unforgivable offense,” he added.

It remains uncertain whether Afghan players will engage with Pakistani cricketers at ICC events, considering the strained relations between the two nations.