Three Afghan cricketers killed in Pakistan attack, team withdraws from tri-series

Three Afghan cricketers killed in Pakistan attack, team withdraws from tri-series) and the Afghan Taliban are escalating tensions along the border, showing no signs of abating. On Friday, Islamabad and Kabul agreed to extend a 48-hour ceasefire. However, Pakistan turned out to be Pakistan. Pakistan’s habit of backtracking was once again evident. Despite the agreement, Pakistan launched an airstrike on Afghanistan, killing three Afghan cricketers.

Three Afghan cricketers killed in Pakistan attack
This attack by Pakistan took place in the Paktika province districts of Afghanistan. The airstrike reportedly targeted residential areas in Urgun and Barmal, causing significant loss of life and property.

ACB Expresses Grief
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) expressed grief over the death of three of its cricketers and announced its withdrawal from the upcoming triangular T20 International series with Pakistan. Sharing a post on Instagram, the ACB said, “The Afghanistan Cricket Board expresses its deepest sorrow and condolences on the tragic martyrdom of the brave cricketers from Urgun district in Paktika province, who were targeted in a cowardly attack by the Pakistani regime this evening.”

Players had gone to participate in a friendly cricket match
The ACB stated that the players had previously traveled to Sharana in Paktika province for a friendly cricket match. After returning home to Urgun, they were targeted during a local gathering. Three Afghan players, Kabir, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, were killed in the attack.

The board said, “In this heartbreaking incident, three players (Kabir, Sibghatullah, and Haroon) and five other nationals from Urgun district were killed, and seven others were injured. The players had previously traveled to Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, to participate in a friendly cricket match. After returning home to Urgun, they were targeted during a gathering.”

Refused to play in the tri-series
The ACB further stated, “The ACB considers this a great loss to the Afghan sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family.” Following this, the board announced that it would not participate in the T20 Internationals scheduled for late November. This tri-series T20 International series involved Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.