Tri-series: Zimbabwe included after Afghanistan's refusal, PCB announced

New Delhi, October 18 (IANS). Afghanistan withdrew from the tri-series after the airstrike by Pakistan. Zimbabwe has been included in the series instead of Afghanistan. The third team of the series is Sri Lanka. The series will be played from November 17 to 29 in Lahore and Rawalpindi. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Saturday announced its withdrawal from the tri-series following the death of three local cricketers in an attack from across the border (Pakistan) in Urgun district. “The attack resulted in the loss of a number of lives, including three local cricketers who were returning home after playing a friendly match in Sharana, the capital of Paktika province. The ACB considers this a great loss to Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes and the cricket family,” the ACB claimed on Twitter. The ACB said out of respect for the victims, it has decided to withdraw from the upcoming triangular T20 International series. ICC and BCCI also joined ACB in condoling the death of the cricketers. The PCB did not make any official comment on the situation after Afghanistan’s statement. The board announced the participation of Zimbabwe in place of Afghanistan. This series begins with the match between Zimbabwe and hosts Pakistan in Rawalpindi and will also play Sri Lanka at the same venue two days later. All remaining matches will be played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Pakistan is constantly playing T20 matches with an eye on the T20 World Cup. Before Asia Cup 2025, Pakistan played a triangular series with UAE and Afghanistan, in which it was victorious. The upcoming tri-series has also been organized with the aim of preparing for the T20 World Cup. However, Pakistan has been performing very disappointingly for a long time, not only in T20 but in every format. –IANS PAK Share this story Tags