Three Afghan cricketers killed in Pak airstrikes; Afghanistan pull out of tri-series involving Pakistan

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced its withdrawal from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I series involving Pakistan, claiming three cricketers were killed in the attacks launched by Pakistan's military in Paktika province and two other border regions.

 

Pakistan were set to host Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in a T20I series starting November 17.

 

However, the airstrikes, which were launched just hours after a two-day ceasefire with Afghanistan ended, killed three local cricketers who had returned after a friendly match in Sharana.

 

"In this heartbreaking incident, three players (Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon), alongside 5 other fellow countrymen from Urgun District, were martyred, and seven others were injured,” ACB said in its statement.

 

“The players had earlier travelled to Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, to participate in a friendly cricket match. After returning home to Urgun, they were targeted during a gathering.”

 

One strike reportedly damaged a house in Khanadar village, killing and injuring the residents, PTI quoted a police spokesperson, Mohammadullah Amini Mawia, as saying.

 

Pakistan is yet to comment on Afghanistan's claims.

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