Zimbabwe will replace Afghanistan in next month’s tri-nation cricket series in Rawalpindi, after the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) pulled out of the tournament. The ACB’s decision comes in protest following a deadly airstrike in Paktika province, which reportedly killed several civilians, including three local cricketers.
According to Afghan media reports, the airstrike took place in the Urgun district and resulted in at least ten fatalities. Among the dead were three cricketers who were returning home to Sharana after participating in a friendly match.
In an official statement, the ACB announced that, out of respect for those killed, they would not take part in any tournaments held in Pakistan. National team captain Rashid Khan expressed his support for the board’s decision. Other senior players, including Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib and Fazalhaq Farooqi, also voiced strong reactions to the incident.
While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) did not make any direct comment on the ACB’s withdrawal, it confirmed in a brief statement that Afghanistan had officially informed them of their inability to participate.
Despite the withdrawal, the PCB has not made any changes to the tournament schedule. The tri-nation series will begin on 17 November with a match between hosts Pakistan and Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi. Sri Lanka is the third team in the competition.
Each team will face the others twice in a round-robin format, followed by the final on 29 November.
