The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has pulled out of a tri-series in Pakistan after Pakistan’s airstrikes killed 10 civilians (as per news agency AFP’s report), including cricketers in a border province in Afghanistan. In a strongly-worded statement, the ACB has called it a “cowardly attack”, while Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s most famous cricketer, has called it “barbaric”. Afghanistan were to play a T20I tri-series in Pakistan in November, with Sri Lanka being the third team.
“The Afghanistan Cricket Board expresses its deepest sorrow and grief over the tragic martyrdom of the brave cricketers from Urgun District in Paktika Province, who were targeted this evening in a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime,” said the ACB in a statement.
It added: “In this heartbreaking incident, three players (Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon) alongside 5 other fellow countrymen from Urgun District were martyred, and seven others were injured. The players had earlier travelled to Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, to participate in a friendly cricket match. After returning home to Urgun, they were targeted during a gathering.”
It’s seriously tragic, players going out to play and not coming back, being killed by the Pakistan airstrikes. “The ACB considers this a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family. The ACB also extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the bereaved families of the martyrs and to the people of Paktika Province,” said the ACB.
It has pulled the plug on the upcoming tri-series in Pakistan, saying: “In response to this tragic incident and as a gesture of respect to the victims, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to withdraw from participating in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan, scheduled to be played in late November.”
Afghanistan cricketers, too, have stood by their fellow countrymen in this hour of grief. Spin-bowling all-rounder Rashid posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle: “I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes on Afghanistan. A tragedy that claimed the lives of women, children, and aspiring young cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation on the world stage.”
He added: “It is absolutely immoral and barbaric to target civilian infrastructure. These unjust and unlawful actions represent a grave violation of human rights and must not go unnoticed.
“In light of the precious innocent souls lost, I welcome the ACB’s decision of withdrawing from upcoming fixtures against Pakistan. I stand with our people at this difficult time, our national dignity must come before all else.”
Pakistan broke the ceasefire with Afghanistan and reportedly bombed three locations on Friday, as per reports.