LAHORE, PAKISTAN – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the upcoming three-nation T20I tournament will proceed as scheduled in Lahore from November 17 to 29, despite the sudden withdrawal of the Afghanistan national team.
Afghanistan pulled out of the tournament following a tragic cross-border incident in which the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) claimed three cricketers died in Pakistan’s air strikes in Paktika province.
The series, which also features Sri Lanka as the third participant, was originally scheduled for Rawalpindi and Lahore [Conversation History].
PCB Focuses on Securing New Participant
A senior PCB official confirmed the board’s determination to keep the tournament alive, stating, “The Tri-Series will progress as scheduled even after Afghanistan’s withdrawal” and that it “is on from 17th November”. The PCB is actively seeking a replacement team.
While the PCB’s international cricket department is currently considering associate member teams like Nepal and UAE as potential replacements, their priority remains securing a Test-playing nation for the tri-series. Once a replacement is finalized, an announcement will be made.
Tragedy Sparks Diplomatic Tension
Afghanistan’s withdrawal stems from the loss of three local cricketers in a fatal cross-border attack [Conversation History]. The deceased players were reportedly returning home after a “friendly” match in Sharana, the capital of Paktika province [Conversation History]. The ACB cited the withdrawal as a “gesture of respect to the victims” [Conversation History].
The incident, which ACB and Captain Rashid Khan referred to as an attack on the Pakistan border, was described by the ACB as a “great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community” [Conversation History]. Captain Rashid Khan was reported to have broken down, while the ACB and Khan publicly “Blast[ed] Islamabad” regarding the alleged airstrike that killed the three cricketers.
Background of Strained Relations
The cancellation of Afghanistan’s participation underscores the recent deterioration of diplomatic and cricketing ties between the neighbors [Conversation History, 1].
The cancelled tournament would have marked Afghanistan’s first T20I series played on Pakistani soil [Conversation History], although they had previously played in Pakistan during the 2023 Asia Cup and the Champions Trophy without facing the host nation [Conversation History].
Significantly, Afghanistan and Pakistan have not played any bilateral series since Afghanistan gained Test status. The recent strain was highlighted during a tri-series in Sharjah (which also included UAE), where Pakistani and Afghan spectators were intentionally seated in separate enclosures to prevent potential conflicts. This separation occurred despite Pakistan having previously supported Afghanistan cricket by allowing their players to participate in domestic events.
In related news, Pakistan is also scheduled to host Sri Lanka for a separate three-match bilateral T20 series from November 11 to 15.