Afghanistan pulled out of the series, citing the deaths of three Afghan cricketers killed in recent attacks
Zimbabwe Cricket has accepted Pakistan Cricket Boy’s invitation to play a tri-series T20I after Afghanistan pulled out of the Pakistan series next month following the deaths of three local cricketers which the Afghanistan Cricket Board said was due to military strikes in Paktika province.
Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka were scheduled to compete in the tournament to be held in Rawalpindi and Lahore from November 17 to 29. However, Afghanistan’s cricket board announced its withdrawal from the series, citing the deaths of three cricketers in recent attacks.
The ACB said in a statement that the three players traveled to Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, to play in a friendly match and later died during the strikes after returning to their hometown in Urgun district.
Read also: Three Afghan cricketers killed in attack: cricket board
“ACB considers this a great loss to the sports community of Afghanistan, its athletes and the cricket family,” the ACB said in a statement, mourning the death of the players and many others.
“In response to this tragic incident and as a gesture of respect to the victims, the ACB has decided to withdraw from the upcoming T20I tri-series involving Pakistan, which is scheduled to be played in November.”
After Afghanistan’s withdrawal, the Pakistan Cricket Board approached Zimbabwe to participate in the series, which accepted the invitation, the PCB said in a press release.
The tri-series will begin on November 17 as per the original schedule, with hosts Pakistan taking on Zimbabwe at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The second match will also be played at the same venue on November 19 when Sri Lanka take on Zimbabwe.
After the two matches in Rawalpindi, the action will shift to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, which will host the remaining five matches, including the final on November 29.
T20I tri-series tournament schedule
November 17 – Pakistan v Zimbabwe, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
19 November – Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
November 22 – Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
November 23 – Pakistan v Zimbabwe, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
November 25 – Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
November 27 – Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
November 29 – Final, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
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