The upcoming T20I Tri-Nation Series, set to feature Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka in November, has been plunged into chaos after the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed its withdrawal following alleged Pakistani airstrikes that killed ten people, including three local cricketers.
The ACB issued a strongly-worded statement on Saturday, announcing its non-participation in the tournament as a gesture of respect after a violation of a 48-hour ceasefire led to the tragic deaths. The board claimed that three local cricketers—identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon—were among those killed in the strikes on Afghanistan’s territory.
The decision has received backing from top Afghan players, with T20I captain Rashid Khan terming the latest act as “barbaric and immoral.” Other international players like Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib also voiced their grief, calling the incident a “brutal act.” The latest flare-up came despite earlier reports that both Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed to extend their ceasefire to facilitate talks in Doha.
PCB Scrambles for Replacement
Despite the diplomatic and sporting setback, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has maintained that the Tri-Nation Series, scheduled from November 17 to 29, will go ahead as planned.
“The tri series is still on and the third team will be finalised shortly,” a PCB spokesperson confirmed to the media on Saturday afternoon.
The board has immediately begun the search for a replacement team to join Pakistan and Sri Lanka. However, their options are severely limited as top-tier nations like Australia, England, and South Africa are unavailable due to their pre-scheduled bilateral commitments, including The Ashes and a multi-format series in India. Reports suggest the PCB is looking at various options, including Test-playing nations as a priority, but is also considering Associate Member teams like Nepal and the UAE.
PCB Prepares for Pull-out
It is worth noting that the PCB had already anticipated the possibility of a withdrawal due to the escalating border tensions. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) earlier this week, asking the apex body to have an “alternate” plan ready to ensure the tournament proceeds.
The Tri-Nation Series, which was seen as crucial preparation for next year’s T20 World Cup, now faces an uncertain future as the political conflict directly impacts the cricketing relationship between the two neighbours.