Afghanistan has withdrawn from the upcoming tri-nation T20 series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka following the death of several local cricketers in a Pakistani attack. The series was scheduled to take place from 17 to 29 November in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
On Friday (17 October), the Afghanistan Cricket Board stated on social media platform X that Pakistan conducted an airstrike in Paktika province, killing three local cricketers. The players had returned home after playing a friendly match in the provincial capital Sharana when the attack occurred.
The Afghan board said, “Their deaths are a huge loss to our sporting community. In honor of those who lost their lives, we have decided to withdraw from the upcoming tri-nation T20 series.”
This series would have marked Afghanistan’s first-ever matches on Pakistani soil. However, escalating military clashes between the two countries have made it impossible. Afghanistan had previously toured Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup and earlier this year’s Champions Trophy, but they did not play any matches against Pakistan.
In the past two weeks, tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated, with border clashes and airstrikes reportedly killing hundreds of people in various Afghan regions. The tri-nation series had been planned amid worsening bilateral relations. The Pakistan Cricket Board has not yet commented on Afghanistan’s withdrawal.
Source: ESPN