Ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming T20I tri-series, Zimbabwe has been confirmed as the replacement for Afghanistan, who withdrew following a tragic incident in their home country. The tri-series, which also features Sri Lanka, will be held from November 17 to 29 in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced its withdrawal from the tournament after three local cricketers lost their lives in what was alleged to be a cross-border attack in the Urgun district of Paktika province. The ACB expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it a great loss for the Afghan sporting community. The board said the players, identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, had been returning from a friendly match in Sharana when they were targeted.
“In this heartbreaking incident, three players (Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon) alongside 5 other fellow countrymen from Urgun District were martyred, and seven others were injured. The players had earlier traveled to Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, to participate in a friendly cricket match. After returning home to Urgun, they were targeted during a gathering,” the Board said as quoted by The Indian Express.
“In response to 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 involving Pakistan, scheduled to be played in late November,” the board announced its decision.
While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refrained from commenting directly on the sensitive issue, it confirmed that the series would proceed as planned, with Zimbabwe stepping in to fill Afghanistan’s spot.
The series will begin with Pakistan facing Zimbabwe on November 17 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, followed by Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe at the same venue on November 19. The remaining fixtures, including the final on November 29, will be hosted at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
Schedule of Pakistan tri-series
| 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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