Afghanistan has withdrawn its nationwide group from a cricket collection in Pakistan after strikes in an jap border province killed three native gamers, the nationwide governing physique mentioned.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) mentioned on social media cricketers had been “targeted during a gathering” in Urgun district, Paktika province, on Friday after that they had returned dwelling from a pleasant match in Sharana.
Paktika officers mentioned the strike on a house killed 10 individuals in whole.
Latest border clashes between the South Asia neighbours have killed dozens and wounded tons of extra, within the worst violence between the 2 international locations for the reason that Taliban seized energy once more in 2021.
Peace talks had been scheduled to happen in Doha on Saturday amid a ceasefire.
Picture:
Pic: AP
Picture:
Pic: AP
ACB spokesman Mentioned Nasim Sadat recognized the gamers killed as Kabeer Agha Argon, Sibghatullah Zirok, and Haroon, who, as per customized for a lot of Afghans, solely goes by one title.
The wounded cricketers had been handled in hospital.
“We are athletes and ambassadors of peace,” mentioned fellow participant Saifullah Khan, who additionally attended the hospital.
“We don’t want there to be any more bombings or killings like this.”
A number of thousand individuals attended the funeral prayers in Paktika on Saturday, sitting outdoors as sermons and condemnations blared by loudspeakers.
“The ACB considers this a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family,” the board mentioned in its assertion.
“In response of this tragic incident, and as a gesture of respect to the victims, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to withdraw from participating in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series.”
Afghan captain Rashid Khan and the Afghanistan Sports activities Journalists Federation welcomed the choice, the latter calling the strikes a “barbaric and shameful act, which stands in clear violation of all international laws”.
The tri-series, additionally that includes Sri Lanka, was scheduled for 17-29 November in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
It is part of preparations for subsequent yr’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
