The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) withdrew from the three-series after Pakistan attacked civilian infrastructure in Afghanistan, killing a number of younger cricketers. Pakistan And Sri Lanka.
The choice got here after Pakistan reportedly launched an airstrike on Afghanistan’s Paktika province, killing 10 folks, together with three Afghan cricket gamers.
The ACB referred to as the assault “despicable and reprehensible” and mentioned that enjoying for Pakistan underneath such circumstances can be “disrespectful to the martyred gamers and civilians”.
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Three Afghan cricket gamers killed in assault
In line with Afghan media studies, the assaults happened within the Arghun and Barmal districts of Paktika province, the place Pakistan allegedly carried out airstrikes focusing on the militants. Nevertheless, native sources mentioned a number of harmless civilians had been killed within the assault.
Three native cricketers, Kabir, Shivgatullah and Haroon, had been killed within the assault, 5 different civilians had been additionally killed and 7 had been critically injured, the ACB mentioned in a press release.
The gamers had been reportedly on their approach again to their hometown of Argun after enjoying a pleasant in Paktika’s capital Sharana once they had been attacked.
“The ACB expresses its deep unhappiness and sorrow over the tragic martyrdom of the courageous cricketers of Urgun district of Paktika province who had been focused tonight in a cowardly assault by the Pakistani regime,” ACB mentioned in an official assertion.
“On this heartbreaking incident, three athletes (Kabir, Shibugatullah and Haroun) had been martyred, together with 5 different compatriots from the Urgun area, and 7 others had been injured.”
“The gamers had beforehand traveled to Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, to participate in a pleasant cricket match. After returning to Urgun, they had been focused throughout a rally,” the assertion added.
“ACB considers this an ideal loss for Afghanistan’s sports activities, athletes and cricket neighborhood. ACB additionally expresses its deepest condolences and solidarity with the households of the martyrs and the folks of Paktika province.”
“Following this tragic incident and as a mark of respect to the victims, ACB has determined to withdraw from participation within the Tri-Nation T20I collection that includes Pakistan, scheduled to be held in late November,” the assertion learn.
“Might Allah (SWT) bestow the best honor on the martyrs in Jannah, bless the injured with speedy restoration, and grant their households endurance, reward and power on this time of immense sorrow,” the assertion concluded.
phrases of condolence
The Afghanistan Cricket Board expresses its deep sorrow and sorrow over the tragic martyrdom of the courageous cricketers of Urgun district of Paktika province who had been the goal of a cowardly assault by the Pakistani regime this night.
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— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) October 17, 2025
Pakistan Cricket Board’s response
In the meantime, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is but to subject an official response. Nevertheless, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi just lately suggested the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) to give you another plan because the Afghans withdrew from the collection for some motive.
Battle has far-reaching implications for cricket
The incident isn’t solely prone to trigger new tensions in relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, however may even have critical implications for cricket in South Asia.
Cricket relations between the 2 nations have revived on a restricted scale lately, however the dispute has as soon as once more raised questions on the way forward for each nations.
Many cricket analysts consider the transfer is a “diplomatic message” from the Afghans to Pakistan, making it clear that sport and politics can’t be separated when gamers’ lives are in danger.
