Kabul: Afghanistan has officially withdrawn from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I cricket series after three of its national players were killed in a deadly Pakistani airstrike on Paktika province. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed the move on Saturday, calling the attack a tragic loss for the country’s sports community.
The ACB stated that the deceased players — Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon — were returning to their homes in Urgun district after participating in a friendly match in the provincial capital, Sharana. They were reportedly targeted during a local gathering shortly after their return. According to Afghan officials, the airstrike also claimed five other lives and left seven individuals injured.
In a public statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the ACB condemned the strike as a “cowardly act” by the Pakistani military and described the deaths as a “devastating blow” to Afghan sport.
“The ACB expresses its deepest sorrow over the loss of our young cricketers in this senseless act of aggression,” the board said. “Their martyrdom is not only a tragedy for their families and communities, but a national loss for Afghan cricket.”
As a result of the incident, Afghanistan has opted out of the Tri-Nation T20I series originally scheduled for late November, where they were set to face Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The ACB said the withdrawal was made in honor of the slain athletes and as a statement against the violence.
“To mourn this tragedy and stand in solidarity with the victims’ families, the ACB has decided not to participate in the upcoming T20I series involving Pakistan,” the statement added.
The board concluded its message with prayers for the deceased, asking for divine mercy and strength for the grieving families.
Civilian Areas Targeted Amid Ceasefire
The strike that killed the players took place in the southeastern districts of Urgun and Barmal — areas that had been under a declared ceasefire between Afghanistan and Pakistan. According to reports from local media, including Tolo News, the airstrikes were carried out just hours before peace talks were set to resume in Doha.
Sources told Tolo News that the attacks appeared to focus on civilian zones, intensifying fears about the fragile nature of the temporary truce. Friday’s airstrikes came in violation of a 48-hour ceasefire extension reportedly agreed upon to allow diplomatic dialogue to proceed.
Pakistan has not officially commented on the deaths of the Afghan players, though it has previously defended its cross-border operations as necessary to combat militant threats allegedly originating from Afghan territory.
Diplomatic Efforts Under Strain
The deadly incident has raised new doubts about the ongoing negotiations in Doha, which were aimed at reducing hostilities between the two neighbors. Pakistan had earlier called for an extension of the ceasefire while talks continued.
Tensions between the two nations have been steadily rising since the start of the year, with both sides accusing each other of harboring and enabling militant activity along the porous border.
While the Afghan government has stated its willingness to resolve differences through diplomacy, events such as Friday’s airstrikes are likely to inflame nationalist sentiments and deepen mistrust on both sides.
With the sports arena now caught in the crossfire, Afghanistan’s decision to step away from international competition sends a strong message — one that highlights not just the human cost of the conflict, but its impact on the country’s national identity and pride.
As the situation remains volatile, regional observers fear that further escalation could derail any chance of long-term peace — on or off the field.
