ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced the withdrawal of its national team from the upcoming Twenty20 tri-series in Pakistan, following the tragic deaths of three local cricketers due to Pakistan military strikes in southeastern Paktika province on Friday. The decision reflects the board's condolences towards the victims and their families.
The ACB made the announcement on Saturday via social media, confirming that the athletes were killed while they were attending a gathering in Urgun district. They had just returned home after participating in a friendly match in Sharana, the capital of Paktika province. According to local officials, the airstrike targeted a home where the players were visiting, resulting in a total of 10 fatalities.
The players who lost their lives were identified by ACB spokesman Said Nasim Sadat as Kabeer Agha Argon, Sibghatullah Zirok, and Haroon, who, like many Afghans, is known by only one name. The heartbreaking incident led to an outpouring of grief, with several thousand individuals attending the funeral prayers in Paktika. Gathered in the open air, attendees listened to sermons and expressions of condemnation broadcasted through loudspeakers.
The ACB expressed its sorrow, stating, "The ACB considers this a great loss for Afghanistan's sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family." In light of the harrowing circumstances surrounding the deaths, the board emphasized its decision to withdraw from the Tri-Nation T20I Series as a sign of respect and mourning.
The captain of the Afghan national team, Rashid Khan, and the Afghanistan Sports Journalists Federation both endorsed the ACB’s decision. The Federation went further to condemn the military strike, calling it a "barbaric and shameful act, which stands in clear violation of all international laws."
Originally, the tri-series was scheduled to take place from November 17-29 in Rawalpindi and Lahore, serving as a crucial preparation for the teams ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup, which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka. This upcoming series was to be the second time in four months that Pakistan and Afghanistan faced off in a tri-nation format, as both teams had previously competed in a tournament in the United Arab Emirates in September, where Pakistan emerged victorious in the final against Afghanistan.
This incident has highlighted the ongoing tensions and turmoil within the region, casting a shadow over the spirit of sports and its ability to unify. The withdrawal of Afghanistan from the series underscores the profound impact of violence on the realm of sports and the lives of athletes in the region.
