Afghanistan-Pakistan war: ACB pulls out of Tri-series after 3 players die; Rashid says ‘grave violation of human rights’

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has pulled out of the Tri-Nation series involving Sri Lanka and Pakistan after fresh strikes by Pakistan in the border province in Afghanistan killed many. According to a Tolo News report, Pakistan military carried out strikes in the Urgun and Barmal districts of Paktika province while news agency AFP stated 10 people, including two children lost their lives while 12 were left wounded.

The decision to pull out of the Tri-nation series came on Saturday after it was found that three young cricketers were among the dead. “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,” ACB said in a statement.

“In this heartbreaking incident, three players (Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon) 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 statement further added.

Afghanistan