Afghanistan Cricket Board Withdraws Team After Players Killed In Paktika Strikes

Afghanistan has withdrawn from the upcoming T20 international tri-series in Pakistan after the tragic deaths of three Afghan cricketers during military strikes in Paktika province. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced the decision, citing respect for the victims and mourning the loss to the nation's sporting community.

Tri-Series Schedule

The tri-nation tournament, featuring Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, was scheduled to take place from November 17 to 29, 2025, across Rawalpindi and Lahore. Afghanistan's withdrawal means the team will no longer participate in the series.

Circumstances of the Tragic Deaths

According to the ACB, the three players had traveled to Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, to play a friendly match. After returning to their home district of Urgun, they were killed during military strikes. The ACB described the incident as "a great loss for Afghanistan's sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family," expressing deep grief over the deaths of several individuals, including the cricketers.

Response and Withdrawal

In response to the tragedy, the ACB stated that withdrawing from the November tri-series was a gesture of respect for the victims.

Broader Context

The withdrawal comes amid heightened tensions along the 2,600-km (1,600-mile) Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the worst since the Taliban took power in Kabul in 2021. Pakistan and Afghanistan recently extended a 48-hour truce during peace talks in Doha, as Islamabad has repeatedly demanded that Kabul rein in militants who have launched attacks inside Pakistan from Afghan territory. Pakistani airstrikes across the contested frontier have further escalated the conflict, contributing to the ongoing instability in the region.