Kabul: The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has withdrawn from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka, citing escalating military tensions with Pakistan. The move comes in the wake of fresh Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province that claimed several lives, including three Afghan cricketers.
According to reports from Tolo News, the strikes were carried out in the Argun and Barmal districts of Paktika. AFPreported that at least ten people, including two children, were killed, while twelve others were injured in the assault.
In an official statement, the ACB confirmed the deaths of three players — Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon — who were among those targeted after returning from a friendly match in Sharana, the provincial capital. “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 in a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime,” the board said.
Calling the incident a “great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community,” the ACB extended its condolences to the victims’ families and announced its withdrawal from the Tri-Nation Series scheduled for November 2025.
“In response to 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,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi had earlier written to the ICC, requesting that the global body prepare an alternate plan should Afghanistan decide to pull out of the tournament. The ICC and PCB are now expected to decide on Afghanistan’s replacement team.
The recent escalation follows a brief ceasefire agreement between Islamabad and Kabul, which was shattered after Friday’s airstrikes. The violence has intensified since the Taliban foreign minister’s recent visit to India, further straining ties between the two neighbouring countries.