Afghanistan pull out of the tri-series in Pakistan following the Urgun District which claimed the lives of five cricketers

The tri-series between Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka is scheduled to be played from November 17.

In what was a humiliation for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) came up with a massive development. On Saturday (October 8), they decided to withdraw from the Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan, scheduled to be played in late November.

This came amid the tensions between the two nations. Afghanistan were all set to play the tri-series in Pakistan involving Sri Lanka. However, the military attacks by Pakistan in Afghanistan made the governing body take the decision. 

It came after Pakistan conducted an attack in Urgun District in Paktika Province, where cricketers also lost their lives. The players in Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon were among the five players who were martyred, while seven others were injured.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board expresses its deepest sorrow and grief over the tragic martyrdom of the brave cricketers – ACB’s official statement

Releasing the official statement, the ACB stated: 

“In response of 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,” ACB said in a statement.

“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,”

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,”

With tensions between the two teams being very high, it is unlikely that the players will shake hands with each other in ICC and ACC events. It remains to be seen if they play each other in near future or not.

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