Afghanistan Withdraws from Pakistan Tri-Series After Deadly Cross-Border Incident

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has officially withdrawn its national team from the upcoming tri-nation T20I series in Pakistan, following a deadly cross-border incident in the Urgun district of Afghanistan that claimed several lives, including three local cricketers.

The tri-series, also featuring Sri Lanka, was scheduled to take place from November 17 to 29 in Rawalpindi and Lahore. Arranged by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) last month, the tournament would have marked Afghanistan’s first participation in a tri-series held on Pakistani soil.

According to a statement shared by the ACB on social media platform X, the deceased cricketers were returning home to Urgun after playing a friendly match in Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, when the attack occurred. The board described the incident as a “tragic loss” for Afghanistan’s sporting and cricketing communities.

"As a gesture of respect to the victims," the ACB stated, "it has been decided to withdraw from participating in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series."

The withdrawal comes amid already strained diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Afghanistan and Pakistan were scheduled to face each other twice during the series — in the opening match on November 17 and again on November 23.

This would have been the second tri-series involving the two nations in 2025, following their meeting in August ahead of the Asia Cup. Although Afghanistan has recently played cricket in Pakistan — including in the 2023 Asia Cup and this year’s Champions Trophy — this series would have been their first to include direct matches against the host nation on Pakistani soil.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has not yet issued a statement in response to Afghanistan's withdrawal.