ISLAMABAD – 20 October 2025:
Afghanistan has reportedly withdrawn from the upcoming tri-nation cricket series scheduled to be held in Pakistan, citing security and diplomatic concerns amid heightened tensions between the two neighboring countries.
According to sources within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the series — which was to feature Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh — has now been thrown into uncertainty following Kabul’s last-minute decision to step back.
Officials familiar with the matter said the withdrawal is linked to ongoing political and border disputes, which have strained relations between the two countries in recent weeks.
“The PCB had made all arrangements for the series, including security and logistics, but the Afghan board informed us of their withdrawal through unofficial channels,”
a PCB official told reporters on condition of anonymity.
While neither the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) nor the PCB has issued an official statement, insiders suggest that efforts are underway to either reschedule the event or invite another team to fill the vacant slot.
Cricket analysts noted that the decision reflects how regional political tensions continue to spill over into sports diplomacy, affecting bilateral and multilateral cricket engagements.
