Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Saturday introduced its choice to withdraw from the upcoming Pakistan Tri-Nation T20I Collection scheduled for November. The tri-series, set to function Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka, was slated to start on November 17 in Pakistan, however the newest choice from Kabul marks a major flip following a tragic incident that has shaken Afghanistan’s cricketing group. The ACB clarified that this step was taken out of respect for victims of a devastating assault that claimed the lives of a number of cricketers from Urgun District in Paktika Province on Friday night.
Afghanistan Cricket Board backs out of Pakistan tri-series over tensions
In response to the official assertion, Afghanistan’s home cricketers Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon had been amongst these martyred, whereas a number of others sustained severe accidents. The gamers had been in Sharana, the provincial capital, to participate in a pleasant cricket match once they had been focused in an assault that has ignited outrage throughout the nation.
The board expressed its deepest condolences to the households of the deceased gamers, describing the incident as a “cowardly assault” that has left an indelible scar on the nation’s sports activities group.
“The Afghanistan Cricket Board expresses its deepest sorrow and grief over the tragic martyrdom of the courageous cricketers from Urgun District in Paktika Province, who had been focused in an assault carried out by the Pakistani regime,” the ACB mentioned in its assertion. It additional emphasised that the choice to withdraw from the tri-series was not taken frivolously however was essential to honour the reminiscence of the victims.
Gamers categorical anger and sorrow over the assault
Quickly after the announcement, Afghanistan’s main cricketers took to social media to specific their anger and heartbreak. Left-arm quick bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi labelled the incident as “heinous and unforgivable,” condemning the violence in opposition to civilians and sportspersons. Farooqi acknowledged that such acts would by no means be forgotten by Afghans and referred to as for justice for the deceased cricketers. Different nationwide teammates echoed his sentiments, mourning the lack of younger gamers who represented the hopes of cricket’s new technology in Afghanistan. A number of gamers from home circuits additionally expressed solidarity with the victims’ households, terming the assault a “darkish day” for the nation’s sporting fraternity.
The tragic improvement has as soon as once more positioned pressure on Afghan-Pakistan cricketing ties, which have usually been overshadowed by political and border tensions. Whereas relations between the 2 boards had seen enchancment in latest months by means of bilateral planning and regional tournaments, this newest incident is anticipated to halt any near-term cooperative engagements. Insiders recommend that discussions had been underway relating to future sequence between the 2 nations, however the ACB’s choice might push these talks indefinitely again.
Cricket followers throughout Afghanistan have rallied behind the board’s choice, urging authorities to face agency in condemnation of the act and defend Afghan sportspersons’ dignity. Analysts consider this episode may deepen the present diplomatic freeze between Kabul and Islamabad, elevating uncertainty about whether or not Afghan gamers will proceed regular interactions with Pakistani counterparts throughout ICC occasions. As the worldwide cricket group reacts, the main target stays on mourning the victims and making certain that their sacrifice turns into a logo of resilience for Afghanistan’s cricketing future.
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Right here’s how Afghanistan gamers reacted:
انالله واناالیه راجعون
د ظالمانو لخوا د ملکي وګړو او زموږ د کورني کرکټ لوبغاړو شهیدانېدل یو ستر نه بښونکی جنایت دی، شهیدانو ته دې لوی خدای جنت فردوس نصیب کړي او ظالمان دې خدای ج ذلیل او په خپل قهر ګرفتار کړي.
د لوبغاړو او ملکي وګړو شهیدانول افتخار نه بلکه د بیغرتۍ آخري
حد دی!…— fazalhaq farooqi (@fazalfarooqi10) October 17, 2025
I’m deeply saddened by the lack of civilian lives within the latest Pakistani aerial strikes on Afghanistan. A tragedy that claimed the lives of ladies, kids, and aspiring younger cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation on the world stage.
It’s completely immoral and…
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) October 17, 2025
انالله واناالیه راجعون
په ډیرې خواشينی سره مو خبر ترلاسه کړ چې د پکتیکا ولایت د ارګون ولسوالۍ کې خدای نا ترسه هیواد زمونږ د هیواد څو لوبغاړي په ش.هادت رسولي دي.
له لوی رب نه ورته جنت الفردوس غواړم
او متعال رب دې زمونږ د هیواد ابدي دښمنان ذلیله کړي امین یارب العالمین pic.twitter.com/gux4bozOq4— Rahmanullah Gurbaz (@RGurbaz_21) October 17, 2025
We’re deeply saddened by the cowardly army assault in Argun, Paktika, that martyred harmless civilians and fellow cricketers. This brutal act by the Pakistani military is an assault on our individuals, pleasure, and independence.however it’s going to by no means break the Afghan spirit.
— Gulbadin Naib (@GbNaib) October 17, 2025
— Samiullah Shinwari (@SamiShinwari45) October 17, 2025
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