Afghanistan has officially withdrawn from a tri-nation cricket series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka scheduled for next month. This decision follows the tragic killing of three local cricketers in an attack, as confirmed by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Friday.

The players, identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, were reportedly returning home to Urgun after participating in a friendly match in Sharana, located in eastern Paktika province near the Pakistan border. The ACB stated that they were targeted during a gathering upon their return. The board condemned the attack, labeling it a "cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime," and noted that five other individuals also lost their lives in the incident.

The ACB expressed its sorrow, stating, "This is a great loss for Afghanistan's sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family," and extended condolences to the families of the victims. The board emphasized that the withdrawal from the upcoming series was a gesture of respect for those who lost their lives.

Afghanistan's captain, Rashid Khan, shared his grief 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 condemned the targeting of civilian infrastructure as "immoral and barbaric" and supported the ACB's decision to withdraw from the matches.

Other players also voiced their sorrow. Fazalhaq Farooqi described the attack as a "heinous, unforgivable crime," while Mohammad Nabi remarked that the incident was a tragedy not just for Paktika but for the entire Afghan cricket community and the nation. The ACB's decision reflects the deep impact of this tragedy on Afghanistan's cricketing landscape and its people.