The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Saturday, October 18, announced that it has withdrawn from the T20 tri-series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka. In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) immediately issued a clarification regarding the status of the tri-nation series to be held in Pakistan next month.
The PCB last month unveiled the T20 tri-series, which will be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore from November 17 to 29. Notably, this will be the second triangular series between Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2025. The first triangular series between the two recently took place in the UAE, days before the Asia Cup 2025.
Cricketers killed in Pakistan air strike in Afghanistan
Pakistan carried out fresh air strikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, breaking the recent ceasefire amid tensions between the two countries. Reports indicate that at least ten people, including two children, were killed and 12 others were injured in the attacks in Argun and Barmal districts.
Violence increased after the visit of Taliban Foreign Minister to India. Pakistan and Afghanistan recently clashed for a week with deadly clashes, leading to a brief 48-hour ceasefire on Wednesday, which the Taliban claims Pakistan violated with new attacks.
Three Afghan cricketers were killed in the attacks. The Afghanistan Cricket Board confirmed that the players had gone to Sharana for a friendly match. In response, the ACB announced that it would withdraw from the upcoming tri-series in Pakistan against Sri Lanka and the host nation.
“In this heart-breaking incident, three players (Kabir, Sibgatullah and Haroon) along with 5 other fellow countrymen from Urgun district were martyred and seven others were injured,” the ACB wrote in a long statement on its social media account.
PCB confirms tri-series to continue despite Afghanistan’s withdrawal
According to Geo News, the PCB confirmed that despite Afghanistan’s withdrawal due to deteriorating political relations, the upcoming tri-series will go ahead as planned from November 17 to 29. Pakistan and Sri Lanka will participate, while the PCB is actively looking for replacements for the third team.
The PCB will approach other Asian or associate cricket boards to fill the vacancy. Notably, the PCB is confident that the series will continue without any disruption, thereby maintaining Pakistan’s white-ball schedule ahead of the busy 2026 season.
The tri-series is seen as an important part of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup preparations, providing Pakistan with valuable match practice in home conditions.
I welcome ACB’s decision – Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan
Afghan T20I captain Rashid Khan condemned Pakistan’s recent air strikes, calling them a “serious violation of human rights”. Rashid supported ACB’s decision to withdraw from the upcoming tri-series with Sri Lanka in Pakistan.
Rashid said, “Targeting civilian infrastructure is absolutely immoral and barbaric. These unjust and unlawful actions represent a serious violation of human rights and should not be ignored.”
He concluded, “In light of the loss of precious innocent souls, I welcome the ACB’s decision to withdraw from the upcoming fixtures against Pakistan. I stand with my people in this difficult time; our national dignity must come before all else.”
I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani air strikes on Afghanistan. A tragedy that took the lives of women, children and aspiring young cricketers who dreamed of representing their country on the world stage.
This is absolutely unethical and…
– Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) 17 October 2025
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