Afghanistan have withdrawn from the tri-nation series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka scheduled to take place soon after the killing of three local cricketers in an attack, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed on Friday.
The players had gone to Sharana, a town in eastern Paktika province along the border with Pakistan, to play a friendly match, the ACB said. "After returning home to Urgun, they were targeted during a gathering," the board said, referring to the attack as "a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.”
The three killed players were named as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon. The ACB further stated that five others were also killed in the attack, but no other information was given.
ACB deplores attack, pulls out of series
In its release, ACB stated that it "considers this a great loss for Afghanistan's sports community, its athletes and the cricketing family”, and expressed its "deepest condolences and solidarity to the bereaved families."
The board announced that the decision to pull out of next month's tri-series had been made "as a gesture of respect to the victims."
Players express grief and outrage
Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan stated his sadness and outrage on social media, saying: "I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes on Afghanistan. A tragedy that claimed the lives of women, children, and aspiring young cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation on the world stage. "
He also condemned the attack, stating, "It is absolutely immoral and barbaric to target civilian infrastructure. These unjust and unlawful actions represent a grave violation of human rights and must not go unnoticed. In light of the precious innocent souls lost, I welcome the ACB’s decision of withdrawing from upcoming fixtures against Pakistan. I stand with our people at this difficult time, our national dignity must come before all else.."
Afghan foreign bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi also expressed his grief, saying: "The massacre of innocent civilians and our domestic cricket players by these oppressors is a heinous, unforgivable crime."
