The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced its withdrawal from T20 and tri-nation series with Pakistan, citing national mourning after the tragic deaths of several Afghan players in Paktika province.

The ACB confirmed on Friday that Afghanistan will not take part in the T20 Tri-Nation series that was scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan from November 17 to 29. The tournament, featuring Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, was expected to be an exciting prelude to the upcoming cricket season. However, the ACB’s decision means Afghanistan will now be absent from the much-anticipated event.

In its official statement, the ACB expressed “deep sorrow and grief” over the loss of young cricket players from Urgun district in Paktika. The board described the incident as a heartbreaking blow to the nation’s sports community and a time of great mourning for the Afghan cricket family.

Read More: What is Test Twenty and how will it change cricket forever?

“The Afghanistan Cricket Board expresses its heartfelt condolences and solidarity with the families of the martyrs and the people of Paktika,” the statement said.

The ACB also confirmed the cancellation of bilateral T20 matches with Pakistan, deepening the sporting gap between the two neighbouring countries.

Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had announced plans for its first-ever T20 Tri-Nation series, set to take place across Rawalpindi and Lahore. The tournament was to open with a Pakistan vs. Afghanistan clash on November 17 in Rawalpindi, followed by a Sri Lanka–Afghanistan match on November 19. The remaining fixtures, including the final, were scheduled for Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, with the title decider planned for November 29.