Afghanistan withdraws from the Tri-Nation Series
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has withdrawn from the upcoming Tri-Nation Series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka due to rising military tensions with Pakistan.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has withdrawn from the upcoming Tri-Nation Series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka following escalating military tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The decision came after Pakistan reportedly carried out new airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, breaking the existing ceasefire. As per Tolo News, the attacks took place in the Argun and Barmal districts. According to AFP, the strikes claimed ten lives, including two children, and left twelve others injured.
“The Afghanistan Cricket Board expresses deep sorrow and grief over the tragic loss of our brave cricketers from Urgun District in Paktika Province, who were martyred in a cowardly attack by the Pakistani forces,” the ACB said in its official statement.
“In this tragic incident, three players, Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, along with five other citizens from Urgun District, lost their lives, while seven others were injured,” the statement said. “The players had travelled to Sharana, the capital of Paktika Province, to take part in a friendly cricket match. After returning to Urgun, they were attacked during a local gathering.”
Uncertainty Looms Over Tri-Nation Series Replacement Team
Afghanistan, which recently faced Pakistan in the Men’s Asia Cup 2025, has decided not to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming Tri-Nation Series with the hosts and Sri Lanka, originally scheduled for November 2025.
“The ACB regards this as a tremendous loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes, and the entire cricketing family,” the board stated. “We extend our deepest condolences and stand in solidarity with the grieving families of the martyrs and the people of Paktika Province.”
“In response to this tragic event and to honor the victims, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to withdraw from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series with Pakistan, which was scheduled for late November,” the board added.
Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chairman, had previously written to the ICC, urging the governing body to have an alternate plan ready in case Afghanistan withdrew from the Tri-Nation Series. It is now unclear how the ICC and PCB will respond and which team might replace Afghanistan in the tournament.
Earlier, Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed to a ceasefire, temporarily halting the deadly border clashes. However, the Pakistani airstrikes on Friday evening ended the ceasefire. Tensions between Islamabad and Kabul intensified following the Taliban foreign minister’s visit to India.