'Immoral and barbaric': Afghanistan withdraw from Pakistan T20I tri-series after three cricketers killed in air strikes

After days of speculation, Afghanistan finally backed out of their upcoming trip to Pakistan for a T20I triangular series amid recent military clashes between the two nations. The loss of three Afghan cricketers in air strikes allegedly carried out by Pakistani armed forces in the country’s Paktika province later on Friday proved to be the breaking point, with Islamabad being accused of breaking the 48-hour ceasefire that it had brokered with the Afghan Taliban regime on Wednesday that was extended on Friday.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) described the incident, which killed at least 10 people including the cricketers, as a “a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime”, adding that their decision to withdraw from the upcoming tri-series was made “as a gesture of respect to the victims”.

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“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,” read a statement from the board.

Three cricketers killed during a gathering

The three players – identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon – had returned home in the city of Urgun after participating in a friendly cricket match in the provincial capital of Sharana. It was after they returned home when they were targeted during a gathering.

“In this heartbreaking incident, three players alongside 5 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. After returning home to Urgun, they were targeted during a gathering.

“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.

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“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,” the ACB statement added.

Rashid, Gulbadin slam ‘cowardly military attack’

The incident is likely to intensify hostilities between the two neighboring countries that have been skirmishing along the Durand Line for more than a week now. It also drew widespread condemnation from top Afghan cricketers including spin icon and current T20I captain Rashid Khan, who described the incident as “absolutely immoral and barbaric”.

I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes on Afghanistan. A tragedy that claimed the lives of women, children, and aspiring young cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation on the world stage.

It is absolutely immoral and…

— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) October 17, 2025

We are deeply saddened by the cowardly military attack in Argun, Paktika, that martyred innocent civilians and fellow cricketers. This brutal act by the Pakistani army is an assault on our people, pride, and independence.but it will never break the Afghan spirit.

— Gulbadin Naib (@GbNaib) October 17, 2025

Pakistan was originally set to host Afghanistan and Sri Lanka for a T20I triangular series from 17 to 29 November, with Rawalpindi hosting the first two matches and the rest of the series taking place in Lahore.

The series would have taken place immediately after a bilateral series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the same format in the former’s backyard. However, in the aftermath of Afghanistan’s withdrawal, the Mohsin Naqvi-led Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to discuss another series between these two nations, this time in Sri Lanka in January.