The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has withdrawn from next month’s T20I tri-nation series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka after three Afghan cricketers were killed in airstrikes in Paktika province, the board announced on Friday.
The tri-series, scheduled in Lahore and Rawalpindi from 5 to 29 November, was to feature Afghanistan alongside Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The ACB condemned the incident, describing it as "a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime."
In a statement shared on social media, the ACB expressed its grief, saying, "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."
The board named the three players as Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon, who had travelled to Sharana in Paktika province to participate in a friendly match.
The statement added, "In this heartbreaking incident, three players (Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon) alongside five other fellow countrymen from Urgun District were martyred, and seven others were injured. After returning home to Urgun, they were targeted during a gathering."
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The ACB described the attack as a major loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, saying, "The ACB considers this a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family. The ACB also extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the bereaved families of the martyrs and to the people of Paktika Province."
As a mark of respect for the victims, Afghanistan has decided to withdraw from the upcoming tri-nation series against Pakistan.
"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, scheduled to be played in late November," the statement said.
Afghanistan T20I skipper Rashid Khan condemned the airstrike as "immoral and barbaric," posting on X: "I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes on Afghanistan. A tragedy that claimed the lives of women, children, and aspiring young cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation on the world stage. It is absolutely immoral and barbaric to target civilian infrastructure. These unjust and unlawful actions represent a grave violation of human rights and must not go unnoticed. In light of the precious innocent souls lost, I welcome the ACB’s decision of withdrawing from upcoming fixtures against Pakistan. I stand with our people at this difficult time, our national dignity must come before all else."
Former Afghan captain Mohammad Nabi said, "This incident is not only a tragedy for Paktika but for the entire Afghan cricket family and the nation as a whole."
Afghan international Fazalhaq Farooqi also described the attack as "heinous" and "unforgivable," calling it a massacre of innocent civilians and domestic cricketers.
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