Zimbabwe has been confirmed as Afghanistan’s substitute ahead of Pakistan’s forthcoming Twenty20 International tri-series. Afghanistan withdrew after a terrible tragedy in their home country. From November 17 to 29, Rawalpindi and Lahore will host the tri-series, which also includes Sri Lanka.
Three local cricket players were killed in what was believed to be a cross-border incident in the Urgun region of Paktika province, prompting the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to declare its withdrawal from the competition. The occurrence was met with profound sadness by the ACB, which described it as a significant loss for the Afghan athletic community. The players, identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, were targeted after they were returning from a friendly match in Sharana, according to the board.
In this tragic event, three players—Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon—as well as five other Urgun District citizens were martyred, while seven more were wounded. The players had previously gone to play a friendly cricket match at Sharana, the provincial capital of Paktika. They were targeted during a meeting after going home to Urgun,” the Board stated, as reported by The Indian Express.
“The Afghanistan Cricket Board has made the decision to not play in the forthcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series against Pakistan, which is set to take place in late November, in response to this tragic incident and as a gesture of respect to the victims,” the board said.
Although the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) declined to make direct comments on the delicate subject, it did announce that the series will go forward as scheduled, with Zimbabwe taking Afghanistan’s place.
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host the opening match of the series between Pakistan and Zimbabwe on November 17 and Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe on November 19.
The remaining games, including the championship match on November 29, will take place at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The tri-series schedule for Pakistan
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 17 November | Pakistan vs Zimbabwe | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| 19 November | Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| 22 November | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| 23 November | Pakistan vs Zimbabwe | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| 25 November | Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| 27 November | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| 29 November | Final | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
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