Afghanistan Pulls Out of Pakistan Tri-Series After Cross-Border Incident

Afghanistan has withdrawn from the upcoming T20I Tri-Series in Pakistan, citing tragic cross-border incidents as the reason. The series, set to take place from November 17 to 29 in Rawalpindi and Lahore, also involved Sri Lanka.

Cross-Border Incident Sparks Withdrawal

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced its decision following a tragic event that claimed several lives. An attack in Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, resulted in the death of three local cricketers returning from a friendly match. Afghanistan views this as a significant loss to its sports community and athletes.

Mourning the Losses

• Lives lost in Sharana attack, including young cricketers.
• ACB expresses deep sadness over civilian casualties.
• Decision made to honor the victims’ memory by withdrawing.

A prominent Afghan cricketer, Rashid Khan, expressed his sorrow over the loss of lives in what he described as immoral strikes.

Tournament Details and Diplomatic Context

The series was to be Afghanistan’s first tri-series on Pakistani soil. Pakistan and Afghanistan were scheduled to meet twice during the tournament, on November 17 and 23. This series was planned amid already tense diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has not yet commented on Afghanistan’s withdrawal, leaving the future of the series uncertain.

Previous Engagements

This decision marks Afghanistan’s second withdrawal from a planned series with Pakistan this year, displaying the ongoing challenges in their bilateral relations.

Stay tuned to Emegypt for updates on the evolving situation and the implications for regional cricket events.