The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) spokesperson Sayed Naseem Sadaat has strongly condemned Pakistan’s airstrike in Paktika province that killed three Afghan cricketers and urged global cricket boards to denounce the attack. The ACB has withdrawn from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka in protest, while Pakistan has confirmed Zimbabwe as the replacement team.The three cricketers – Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon – were among eight people killed in the airstrike in the Urgun district, with seven others reportedly injured. The players had visited Sharana, Paktika province’s capital, for a friendly cricket match and were targeted during a gathering upon their return to Urgun.
“We call upon all the cricket boards to condemn such barbaric attacks because cricket is a game that carries the message of peace. Cricketers are peace ambassadors and they should be stayed away from the war. War should not be interfered in sports. So we call upon all the cricket fraternity and boards to condemn such attacks and keep cricket away from war,” Sadaat told news agency ANI.The ACB spokesperson claimed they have clear evidence of Pakistan’s involvement in the attack. “We got evidence all the cricket fraternity and all the people around the world would have definitely watched our video report on the incident that was made by our media team. So, we got clear evidence that the attack was done by a Pakistani state,” he said.Sadaat confirmed the ACB’s decision to withdraw from the tri-series. “After the incident, the management of Afghanistan Cricket Board decided to cancel Afghanistan’s participation in the tri-series that was going to be hosted by Pakistan,” he stated.The decision received support from the national team players. “The decision taken by ACB management was welcomed by all of our national team players including the senior players who are playing for national team. They all were fine with the decision. They welcomed the decision. They showed their grief and sorrow and shared their condolences with the families of the martyred cricketers and other innocent people in the area,” Sadaat added.The Afghanistan board described the attack as “a cowardly act carried out by the Pakistani regime” in its official statement.The revised tri-series will begin on November 17 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium with Pakistan facing Zimbabwe. The second match will see Zimbabwe playing against Sri Lanka at the same venue on November 19.The remaining five matches, including the final on November 29, will be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
