The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) spokesperson, Sayed Naseem Sadaat, has issued a powerful condemnation following a devastating airstrike in Paktika province, which tragically killed three Afghan cricketers. Sadaat has urged cricket boards worldwide to denounce the attack, accusing Pakistan of direct involvement.
In response to the incident, the ACB has officially withdrawn from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series, which was scheduled to involve Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Pakistan has since confirmed that Zimbabwe will step in as Afghanistan’s replacement for the tournament.
The three athletes—identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon—were among eight individuals who lost their lives in the airstrike within the Urgun district. Seven others were reported injured. The cricketers had traveled to Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, to participate in a friendly match and were targeted during a gathering upon their return to Urgun.
“We implore all cricket boards to condemn such barbaric attacks because cricket is a sport that promotes peace. Cricketers are ambassadors of peace and should be kept out of warfare. War must not infringe upon sports. Therefore, we call upon the entire cricket fraternity and all boards to condemn these attacks and safeguard cricket from the ravages of war,” Sadaat conveyed to news agency ANI.
The ACB spokesperson confidently asserted that his organization possesses unequivocal evidence pointing to Pakistan’s involvement in the attack. “We have evidence that the global cricket community and people worldwide have witnessed through our video report on the incident, produced by our media team. This provides clear proof that the attack was perpetrated by a Pakistani state actor,” he declared.
Sadaat reiterated the ACB’s firm decision to pull out of the tri-series. “Following this tragic incident, the management of the Afghanistan Cricket Board resolved to cancel Afghanistan’s participation in the tri-series that was set to be hosted by Pakistan,” he stated.
This decisive action has garnered widespread support from the national team players. “The decision made by the ACB management was unanimously welcomed by all our national team players, including the senior members. They all expressed their full agreement with the decision, shared their profound grief and sorrow, and extended their heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyred cricketers and other innocent victims in the area,” Sadaat added.
In its official statement, the Afghanistan board characterized the attack as “a cowardly act carried out by the Pakistani regime.”
The revamped tri-series is slated to commence on November 17 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with Pakistan facing Zimbabwe. The second match will feature Zimbabwe against Sri Lanka at the same venue on November 19.
The remaining five matches, culminating in the final on November 29, are scheduled to take place at Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium.