After India's boycott, Afghanistan Cricket Board withdraws from tri-series featuring Pakistan following airstrikes that killed 3 Afghan cricketers

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced that Afghanistan will not take part in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20 series in late November. The decision comes after a recent Pakistani airstrike in Afghanistan's Paktika province, which tragically killed three Afghan cricketers.

ACB for Pakistan's airstrike

The ACB also shared deep sorrow over the loss of these players, calling it a heartbreaking moment for Afghan cricket. Notably, this is the second cricket board after the BCCI that ended bilateral cricketing ties with Pakistan.

In a statement posted on X, the ACB said, "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."

Afghanistan's cricketer who died in Pakistan's air strike

The ACB confirmed that the players who died during Pakistan's airstrike are identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon. They were among eight people killed in the airstrike in the Urgun district. Seven others were reportedly injured. These players earlier travelled to Sharana, the provincial capital of Paktika, to feature in a friendly cricket match. They were targeted after returning home to Urgun during a local gathering, according to the ACB.

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"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. The players had earlier travelled to Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, to participate in a friendly cricket match. After returning home to Urgun, they were targeted during a gathering," the board stated.

"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," it added.

ACB boycotted the Tri-Nation T20 series featuring Pakistan

In response to the incident, the ACB announced that it would not take part in the Tri-Nation T20I series scheduled for late November, which was to feature Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

"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 read.

The ACB concluded its message with prayers for the deceased, stating, "May Allah (SWT) grant the martyrs the highest ranks in Jannah, bless the injured with a speedy recovery, and grant their families patience, reward, and strength during this time of immense grief."