Afghanistan withdraw to play against Pakistan after strikes killed 3 cricketers

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has officially pulled out of the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series in Pakistan, following a deadly attack in the Paktika province that killed three domestic cricketers, Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, and five others. The incident, which occurred in the Urgun district on October 17, has been described by Afghan officials as “a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.” The players were reportedly returning from a friendly cricket match in Sharana when they were targeted.

ACB mourns death of 3 cricketers

In a strongly worded statement, the ACB said the decision to withdraw was “a gesture of respect to the victims” while mourning the loss as a blow to Afghanistan’s sporting community. “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 targetted this evening in a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime,” it said.

“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.

The tri-series, featuring hosts Pakistan and Sri Lanka, was scheduled for November 17, but Afghanistan’s withdrawal now puts this series in limbo. Pakistan has not yet commented on the allegations, though tensions along the border have escalated following recent cross-border strikes and militant attacks.

Afghanistan players speak up

Left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi termed the killings as “unforgivable“, while senior stars Mohammad Nabi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz also expressed their grief and called it a tragedy that “has shaken the entire cricketing fraternity“. Relations between Kabul and Islamabad have deteriorated in recent months amid military clashes. “This incident is not only a tragedy for Paktika but for the entire Afghan cricket family and the nation as a whole,” expressed Nabi.

Incidentally, this is not the first time political tensions have affected sport this year. India too had boycotted Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack in April. Though the two sides met five months later in the Asia Cup (thrice in as 15 days), there was visible frost between players with no handshakes, no greetings, and even the trophy wasn’t received as the ACC President is Mohsin Naqvi, a PCB chief and Pakistan’s interior minister.

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