The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced its withdrawal from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Sri Lanka and Pakistan, following the killing of several Afghan cricketers in what it described as a “cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.”
In a statement, the ACB said it “expresses deepest sorrow and grief” over the tragic death of three players — Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon — along with five other civilians from the Urgun District in Paktika Province, who were targeted on Friday evening.
The board said the players had travelled to Sharana, the capital of Paktika, for a friendly cricket match and were attacked after returning home to Urgun. Seven others were injured in the assault.
Calling it “a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community and cricketing family,” the ACB extended condolences to the victims’ families and the people of Paktika Province.
As a mark of respect to the victims, the ACB said it has decided to withdraw from the Tri-Nation T20I Series that was scheduled for late November with Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
“May Allah grant the martyrs the highest ranks in Jannah, bless the injured with a speedy recovery, and grant their families strength during this time of immense grief,” the statement added. (Newswire)