ZIMBABWE: Zimbabwe Cricket has accepted an invitation from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to join a Twenty20 tri-nation series in Pakistan. The PCB announced on Saturday, after Afghanistan withdrew following an airstrike that killed three Afghan cricketers.
In this sense, the tri-series, also featuring Sri Lanka, is scheduled from November 17 to 29 and is intended to offer the teams preparation ahead of next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Furthermore, the PCB said Zimbabwe’s participation came after the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) pulled out, citing the deaths of three players Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon and several other civilians in an attack in Paktika province.
In this regard, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said it was “deeply saddened and appalled” by the deaths, noting the victims had returned from a friendly match and condemning the violence that cost civilian lives and the promising careers of young sportsmen.
The post on social media, the Afghanistan Cricket Board described the incident as a major loss for Afghanistan’s sporting community and confirmed its withdrawal from the November fixtures.
Afghanistan’s leading spinner Rashid Khan supported the board’s decision on social media.
Moreover, Pakistan’s Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, confirmed precision strikes were carried out against the outlawed Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, denying claims that civilians were intentionally targeted.
He characterized reports of civilian casualties as misinformation intended to aid terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory.
The developments unfold amid heightened tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, following an attack on a Pakistani military installation in North Waziristan and successive cross-border exchanges.
However, former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi, urged Afghanistan to remember Pakistan’s past hospitality and warning against allowing its soil to be used for attacks.
Also Read: Afghanistan Cricket Board reacts to reports of pulling out from Pakistan tri-Series
The Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said relations with Kabul would change, indicating a tougher posture against sources of terrorism.
