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Afghanistan withdraws from T20I series after three cricketers killed in Pakistani air strike

KABUL: The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Saturday announced its withdrawal from the upcoming T20I tri-series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka after three Afghan cricketers were killed in a Pakistani air strike in Paktika province.

In a statement posted on X, the ACB said it “expresses its deepest sorrow and grief over the tragic martyrdom of the brave cricketers of Urugun District, Paktika Province, who were targeted in a cowardly attack by the Pakistani regime this evening.”

The board identified the deceased players as Kabir, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, who were among eight people killed in the airstrike in Urugun district. Seven others were reported injured. According to the ACB, the players had recently travelled to Paktika’s provincial capital, Sharana, to participate in a friendly cricket match and were targeted during a local gathering after returning home.

Following the incident, the ACB announced it would not take part in the T20I series scheduled for the end of November. The tournament was set to feature Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

The strike comes just a day after Pakistan launched multiple air raids in Afghanistan’s southeastern Paktika province, violating a recent ceasefire agreement between the two countries.