ACB withdraws from Pakistan tri-series following tensions

by Atif Azam • Last updated on

File Photo - Afghanistan have informed Pakistan that they will not take part in the tri-series © Afghanistan Cricket Board

Afghanistan Cricket Board announced on Saturday that they have decided to withdraw from participating in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan, scheduled to be played in late November.

Afghanistan was scheduled to travel to Pakistan to play a tri-seriesinvolving Sri Lanka and the hosts from November 17.

ACB stated that they have taken the decision to postpone their scheduled tour to Pakistan in response over the tragic martyrdom of the brave cricketers from Urgun District in Paktika Province, who were targetted on Friday (October 17) evening in an attack.

Their players (Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon) alongside five other fellow countrymen from Urgun District were martyred, and seven others were injured. The players had earlier traveled to Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, to participate in a friendly cricket match.

"In response of this tragic incident and as a gesture of respect to the victims, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to withdraw from participating in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan, scheduled to be played in late November," ACB said in a statement.

"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 targetted this evening in a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime," it said.

The ACB considers this a great loss for Afghanistan's sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family. The ACB also extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the bereaved families of the martyrs and to the people of Paktika Province," it added.

Left-arm fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi in his official Facebook page stated that the act was heinous.

"The martyrdom of the civilians and our domestic cricket players by the oppressors is an unforgivable crime," said Farooqi."The massacre of innocent civilians and our domestic cricket players by these oppressors is a heinous, unforgivable crime," it said.

It remains to be seen whether Afghanistan players shake hand with Pakistani cricketers in the ICC events as many feels it is highly unlikely taking the present relationship prevailing between the two countries.

© Cricbuzz

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