Afghanistan Pulls Out Of Tri-Nation Series After 3 Cricketers Killed In Pakistani Airstrike

Afghanistan withdrew from the tri-nation series after three cricketers were killed in Pakistani airstrike in Paktika province.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Saturday announced its withdrawal from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I series involving Pakistan after three Afghan cricketers were killed in a Pakistani airstrike in Paktika province.

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."

The board confirmed that the players, identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, were among eight people killed in the airstrike in the Urgun district. Seven others were reportedly injured in the airstrike.

The players had recently traveled to Sharana, Paktika’s capital, for a friendly match and were attacked upon returning home during a local gathering. The ACB expressed deep sorrow over the event, emphasising its impact on Afghanistan’s sports community and extending condolences to grieving families in Paktika.

"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.

Reacting to the incident, the ACB announced that it would withdraw from 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 deadly airstrikes, which targeted residential areas in Urgun and Barmal, occurred during a 48-hour ceasefire agreement between Afghanistan and Pakistan after intense border clashes, as reported by Tolo News.

Despite the ceasefire, Pakistan called for its extension to allow more negotiation time during ongoing Doha talks. Both sides agreed to continue discussions and to make efforts toward finding a positive, peaceful resolution through dialogue. Taliban authorities affirmed their commitment to respecting the truce unless provoked.

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