**Afghanistan Cricket Board Withdraws Team from Pakistan Tri-Series Following Fatal Strikes**
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced the withdrawal of its national team from next month’s Twenty20 tri-series in Pakistan. This decision comes after three local cricketers were reportedly killed due to Pakistan military strikes in southeastern Paktika province on Friday.
In a social media post on Saturday, the ACB stated that the cricketers were “targeted during a gathering” in Urgun district. The incident occurred when the players had returned home after participating in a friendly cricket match in Sharana, the capital of Paktika province.
Afghanistan cricket board spokesman Said Nasim Sadat identified the three deceased players as Kabeer Agha Argon, Sibghatullah Zirok, and Haroon—who, like many Afghans, is known by a single name.
“The ACB considers this a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family,” the board said. “In response to 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.”
The federation strongly condemned the military strike, labeling it a “barbaric and shameful act, which stands in clear violation of all international laws.”
The tri-series, which also features Sri Lanka, was scheduled to take place from November 17 to 29 in Rawalpindi and Lahore. The tournament was intended to help the teams prepare for next year’s T20 World Cup, set to be held in India and Sri Lanka.
This event would have marked the second tri-series involving Pakistan and Afghanistan within four months. The two teams previously competed in a three-nation tournament held in the United Arab Emirates this past September, where Pakistan defeated Afghanistan in the final.
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Associated Press writer Abdul Qahar Afghan contributed to this report from Jalalabad, Afghanistan.
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