 "Pakistan responds to Afghanistan's withdrawal from T20I tri-series after deadly air strike: 'We are looking at...'")
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) insisted that it will stick to its plan of hosting a T20I triangular series next month despite Afghanistan’s withdrawal on Saturday. The Mohsin Naqvi-led board is now looking for a team to replace the Afghans and join Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the series that is scheduled to take place from 17 to 29 November in Lahore and Rawalpindi.
PCB remains firm on tri-series despite Afghanistan’s withdrawal
“The Tri-Series will progress as scheduled even after Afghanistan’s withdrawal. We are looking at a replacement team and once finalised, the announcement will be made. The Tri-Series features a third team in Sri Lanka so it is on from 17th November,” a senior PCB official was quoted by news agency Press Trust of India as saying.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) had earlier cancelled its trip to the neighbouring country after an air strike carried out by Pakistan armed forces in the Afghan province of Paktika killed 10 civilians, including three cricketers.
The board had initially dismissed reports of cancelling the tour after an all-out conflict broke out between the Afghan Taliban regime, which has been in power since 2021, and the Pakistani military last week. However, the deadly attack, which took place on the same day the two nations agreed to extended a ceasefire agreement amid peace talks, proved to be the last straw.
Also Read | Pakistan and Afghanistan to hold talks in Qatar today after 10 die in border clashes
The deadly attack has also been condemned by several Afghan cricket stars including spin icon and current T20I captain Rashid Khan, who described the air strike as “immoral and barbaric”, as well as veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi.
Pakistan eyeing another Test-playing nation as replacement
Pakistan and Sri Lanka are scheduled to play a three-match T20I series ahead of the tri-series, for which the PCB is hoping to get a Test-playing nation as a replacement but is also counting on Nepal or United Arab Emirates as a back-up if that doesn’t work out.
Afghanistan and Pakistan had recently played a T20I tri-series along with hosts UAE ahead of the Asia Cup, in which the Salman Agha-led Men in Green had won the final by 75 runs after bowling their opponents out for just 66.
 "‘Every inch of Pakistan within range’: Rajnath, CM Yogi unveil first batch of BrahMos from Lucknow facility")
 "US body responsible for protecting Nuclear Arsenal to furlough 1,400 workers amid govt shutdown")
 "Pakistan and Afghanistan to hold talks in Qatar today after 10 die in border clashes")
 "'India has surpassed its neighbour in exporting smartphones to US', says Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw")
 "‘Every inch of Pakistan within range’: Rajnath, CM Yogi unveil first batch of BrahMos from Lucknow facility")
 "US body responsible for protecting Nuclear Arsenal to furlough 1,400 workers amid govt shutdown")
 "Pakistan and Afghanistan to hold talks in Qatar today after 10 die in border clashes")
 "'India has surpassed its neighbour in exporting smartphones to US', says Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw")
