On Saturday, October 18, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) officially withdrew from the upcoming tri-nation series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The series which was set to be played from November 17 to 29 across Lahore and Rawalpindi, was set to be pivotal seeing the T20 World Cup set to be played next year.
But with the escalating tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan followed by the recent air strikes in the Paktika Province, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has left decided to pull out of the series. Notably, the air strikes which were conducted by Pakistan in the wee hours on Saturday, has left at least eight dead, including three cricketers in the Urgun district.
ACB pulls out of tri-nation series following recent air strikes
To condemn the act, the ACB has decided to withdraw from the tri-series.
In a statement of condolence on their X, the ACB wrote, “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 this evening in a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.”
“In this heartbreaking incident, three players (Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon) alongside 5 other fellow countrymen from Urgun District were martyred, and seven others were injured,” it further added. In response to the recent act, the ACB has opted to pull out of the series as a mark of respect.
“In response of 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, scheduled to be played in late November,” the statement further added. With Afghanistan now out, the series stands in a limbo with Sri Lanka’s participation also in doubt after the recent attacks.
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