Afghanistan pulls out of T20I series involving Pakistan after three cricketers killed in late-night attack
The series involving Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka was scheduled to be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore between November 17-29.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,” ACB said in a statement.
“The ACB considers this a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family,” the board said, while extending condolences to the bereaved families and the people of Paktika Province.May Allah grant the martyrs the highest ranks in Jannah and bless the injured with a speedy recovery,” the statement added.
According to reports, Pakistan conducted airstrikes in the Argun and Barmal districts of Paktika province, also halting the ceasefire between the two nations.
Star spinner Rashid Khan condemned the incident, saying he was “deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes on Afghanistan.”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,” he added.
Former captain Gulbadin Naib too expressed his strong condemnation of the incident.
“We are deeply saddened by the cowardly military attack in Argun, Paktika, that martyred innocent civilians and fellow cricketers. This brutal act by the Pakistani army is an assault on our people, pride, and independence, but it will never break the Afghan spirit,” said Naib.
“It is absolutely immoral and barbaric to target civilian infrastructure. These unjust and unlawful I was deeply saddened by the news of the martyrdom of the heroic players of Argoon district of Paktika, who were brutally attacked by the Pakistani military regime after a friendly cricket match.
“The incident is a great sorrow not only for Paktika, but for the entire cricket family and nation of Afghanistan.
I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of these innocent players, my friends and the people of Paktika,” he wrote on X.
The ACB said its decision to pull out of the series was taken as a gesture of respect to the victims.
In a strongly worded statement, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said it was “deeply saddened” by the “tragic martyrdom” of the players –Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon– who, along with five others from Urgun District in Paktika Province, were killed when they were attacked after returning from a friendly match in Sharana, the provincial capital.