After Pakistan attacked civilian infrastructure in Afghanistan and killed some young cricketers, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has pulled out of the tri-series. Pakistan And Sri Lanka.
The decision was taken after Pakistan carried out air strikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, in which 10 people, including three Afghan cricketers, were reportedly killed.
The ACB described the attack as “cowardly and condemnable” and said playing Pakistan in such circumstances would be “disrespectful to the martyred players and civilians”.
Three Afghanistan cricketers died in the attack
According to Afghan media reports, the attack took place in Argun and Barmal districts of Paktika province, where Pakistan reportedly carried out airstrikes targeting militants. However, local sources say that many innocent civilians were killed in the attacks.
The ACB said in a statement that three local cricketers, Kabir, Sibgatullah and Haroon, were killed in the attack, while five other civilians were also killed and seven others seriously injured.
The players were reportedly returning to their hometown of Argun after playing a friendly match in Sharana, the capital of Paktika, when they were attacked.
“The ACB expresses its deep sorrow at the tragic martyrdom of the brave cricketers from the Urgun district of Paktika province, who were targeted in a cowardly attack by the Pakistani regime this evening,” the ACB said in an official statement.
“In this heart-breaking incident, three players (Kabir, Sibgatullah and Haroon) from Urgun district along with 5 other fellow countrymen were martyred, and seven others were injured.”
“The players had earlier traveled to Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, to attend a friendly cricket match. After returning home to Urgun, they were targeted during a gathering,” the statement said.
“The ACB considers this a great loss to the sporting community of Afghanistan, its athletes and the cricket family. The ACB also expresses its deepest condolences and solidarity to the bereaved families of the martyrs and the people of Paktika Province.”
“In response to this tragic incident and out of respect for the victims, the ACB has decided to withdraw from participation in the upcoming triangular T20 series involving Pakistan to be played in late November,” the statement said.
The statement concluded, “May Allah (SWT) grant the martyrs the highest rank in Paradise, bless the injured for their speedy recovery, and grant their families patience, reward, and strength in this hour of immense grief.”
condolence statement
The Afghanistan Cricket Board expresses its deep sorrow and grief over the tragic martyrdom of the brave cricketers of Urgun District of Paktika Province who were targeted in a cowardly attack by the Pakistani regime this evening.
In… pic.twitter.com/YkenImtuVR
– Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) 17 October 2025
Pakistan Cricket Board’s reaction
On the other hand, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not yet issued a formal response. However, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi recently advised the International Cricket Council (ICC) to come up with an alternative plan in case the Afghans pull out of the series due to any reason.
Conflict in cricket will have wide-ranging consequences
This incident is not only likely to create new tensions in Afghanistan-Pakistan relations but may also have a deep impact on South Asian cricket.
Cricket relations between the two countries had been restored on a limited scale in recent years, but this latest dispute has once again raised questions over their future.
Many cricket analysts believe that the move is a “diplomatic message” from the Afghans to Pakistan, making it clear that sport and politics cannot be separated when players’ lives are at stake.