ACB withdraws from T20I tri-series involving Pakistan after 3 Afghan players killed in air strike

New Delhi, Oct 18, 2025

Afghanistan have pulled out of a tri-nation series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka next month after three local cricketers were killed in airstrikes carried out by Pakistan in Paktika province, the Afghanistan Cricket Board said on Friday.

Afghanistan had been scheduled to participate in the tri-series, also featuring Sri Lanka, in Lahore and Rawalpindi from November 5 to 29.

The ACB shared a statement on social media, condemning the incident and describing it as “a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.”

“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,”