Afghanistan has withdrawn from T20 tri-series in Pakistan after the death of three cricketers.

afghanistan Withdrawn from them Twenty-20 international triangular series Pakistan Following the deaths of three local cricketers the following month, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said the deaths were caused by military attacks in Paktika province.

Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka were to face each other in the tournament to be held in Rawalpindi and Lahore from 17 to 29 November.

The three players traveled to Sharna, the capital of Paktika province, to play a friendly match and later died during the attack after returning home to the Urgun district, the ACB said in a statement.

The ACB expressed its condolences over the deaths of the players and several others, saying, “The ACB considers this a great loss to the sporting community of Afghanistan, its athletes and the cricket family.”

“In response to this tragic incident and as a sign of respect for the victims, the ACB has decided to withdraw from participation in the upcoming triangular T20I series with Pakistan to be played in November.”

The International Cricket Council (ICC) condemned the attack, saying it stood in solidarity with the ACB and shared their grief.

“The ICC is deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic deaths of three young and promising Afghan cricketers, Kabir Aga, Sibgatullah and Haroon, who lost their lives in the recent airstrike in the Paktika province of Afghanistan,” the global governing body for cricket said in a statement.

“The ICC strongly condemns this act of violence which has snatched from families, communities and the world of cricket three bright talents whose only ambition was to play the game they loved.”

Pakistan and Afghanistan on Friday extended a 48-hour ceasefire amid peace talks in Doha as they seek to resolve clashes that have left dozens dead in the worst violence between the nations since the Taliban seized power in Kabul in 2021, sources said.

Fierce fighting between the one-time allies and Pakistani airstrikes along their disputed 2,600-kilometre border came as Islamabad demanded Kabul rein in militants who have stepped up attacks in Pakistan, saying they operate from safe havens in Afghanistan.

Pakistan and India, who also share a tense political relationship, have not played any bilateral cricket series since 2012, having met only in multi-nation tournaments since then.

“The BCCI stands in solidarity with the ACB, the cricket community and the families of the deceased players in this moment of deep grief and condemns this horrific and unjustified attack,” the Indian cricket board said in a statement.

“The loss of innocent lives, especially of promising players, is extremely sad and a matter of great concern. The BCCI expresses its heartfelt condolences to the people of Afghanistan and shares in their pain and loss.”

reuters