Pakistan in Big Trouble? Afghanistan Cricketers Killed, ACB Pulls out of Tri-Nation Series

Pakistan is now in big trouble; they might have to face global outrage after Afghanistan officially pulled out of the upcoming Tri-Series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The decision from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) came just hours after a Pakistani airstrike reportedly killed three young Afghan cricketers along the border region of Paktika province.

The Tri-nation T20I series between Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka was scheduled to be played from November 17 to 29 in Lahore and Rawalpindi. Now, the series is expected to be cancelled as the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) refuses to participate and described the incident as a “cowardly attack by the Pakistani regime.”

The Attack that sparked the outrage

According to the reports from the ACB, the three cricketers - Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Harron- were traveling from Urgun to Sharana, Paktika, to play a friendly regional cricket match. After returning home, their areas were allegedly bombed, and Afghan officials have termed it a “targeted airstrike” by Pakistan.

ACB’s official statement on this incident, “Deep sorrow and grief over the martyrdom of our brave cricketers from Urgun District in Pakitka Province, who were targeted this evening in a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.”

“In response to this tragic incident and as a gesture of respect to the victims, the ACB has decided to withdraw from participating in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I series involving Pakistan, scheduled to be played in late November.”

https://x.com/ACBofficials/status/1979285528626282613

Rashid Khan's Emotional Reaction to this tragic incident

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan condemned Pakistan’s airstrikes and called them “immoral and barbaric acts against innocent civilians and aspiring athletes.”  

He said, “I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives in Paktika. This tragedy has killed not just players but dreamers who aspired to represent our nation.”

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Reaction

Pakistan cricket board doesn’t have any official statement; however, the PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi argued that the International Cricket Council (ICC) should have alternative plans as Afghanistan has withdrawn from the Tri-Nation series.

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