The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced its withdrawal from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Sri Lanka and Pakistan, following a deadly attack that claimed the lives of several Afghan cricketers.
In a statement, the ACB condemned what it described as a “cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime,” which killed three players — Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon — along with five other civilians from the Urgun District in Paktika Province.
According to the board, the players had travelled to Sharana, the capital of Paktika, to take part in a friendly cricket match and were ambushed after returning home. Seven others sustained injuries in the assault.
Calling the incident “a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community and cricketing family,” the ACB expressed its deepest condolences to the victims’ families and the people of Paktika.
As a tribute to the slain players, the ACB announced that it will withdraw from the Tri-Nation T20I Series scheduled for late November with Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
“May Allah grant the martyrs the highest ranks in Jannah and bless the injured with a speedy recovery,” the statement concluded.
