Afghanistan Withdraws from T20 Tri-Series After Cricketers Killed in Pakistani Airstrikes
Ashwini Gambo
Dubai – October 18, 2025:
Afghanistan has officially withdrawn from the upcoming T20 tri-nation cricket series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka, following a deadly airstrike by Pakistan that killed three Afghan cricketers in Paktika province. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced its decision on Friday, condemning the attack as “cowardly and inhumane.”
The series was scheduled to be held in Lahore and Rawalpindi from November 5 to 29. In a public statement, the ACB stated that it would not be participating “as a gesture of respect to the victims and in solidarity with the grieving families.”
The ACB identified the deceased players as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon — all young cricketers from Urgun District in Paktika Province. The board described them as “brave cricketers” who were tragically martyred in the attack.
“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,” read the official statement posted on social media.
The incident has sparked outrage among cricket fans and officials alike, with calls for international cricketing bodies to investigate and condemn the targeting of civilians, particularly athletes. The ACB has not confirmed any future plans regarding bilateral or multilateral series involving Pakistan.
