The cricketing world has rarely seen such a dramatic intersection of sport and geopolitics as is unfolding between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) this October. In a sequence of events that has sent shockwaves through the cricket community, Afghanistan has withdrawn from the much-anticipated T20I tri-series in Pakistan, citing the tragic deaths of three young Afghan cricketers in recent border hostilities. The withdrawal has not just altered the tournament’s lineup but has ignited fierce debate about ICC impartiality, the role of politics in cricket, and the future of regional sporting relations.
It all began with a series of escalating border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, culminating in air strikes that tragically claimed lives on both sides. According to reports, on October 17, 2025, Pakistani air strikes hit the Barnal and Urgun districts, killing at least ten people, including three young Afghan cricketers: Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon. These aspiring players, who had just finished a match in Paktika province, were caught in a gathering when the strikes occurred, ending their dreams in an instant. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) described the loss as "unbearable to the sports community of the country," and promptly announced its withdrawal from the tri-nation series scheduled to be held in Pakistan starting November 17.
The decision resonated far beyond Afghanistan’s borders. Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s iconic leg-spinner, voiced his grief and support for the withdrawal, stating his condolences to the bereaved families and even removing the Lahore Qalandars’ X account from his bio—an unmistakable signal of his disapproval of Pakistani cricket engagements. Gulbadin Naib, another Afghan star, called the attack "brutal," echoing widespread anger and sorrow among players and fans alike. International cricketers, including those from India, joined in expressing their sympathies, while fans demanded the ICC take decisive action against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Amid this emotional upheaval, the ICC quickly issued a statement mourning the loss of the Afghan cricketers. However, the statement’s neutrality came under fire. Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information, Ata Tarar, dismissed the ICC’s remarks as "selective" and "biased," criticizing the governing body for failing to independently verify the claims and for allegedly promoting a narrative hostile to Pakistan. "We dismiss and condemn this statement by the ICC, which gives the impression and makes claims that three Afghan cricketers were killed in Pakistan strikes," Tarar declared on October 19. He further asserted that Pakistan itself has long been a victim of cross-border terrorism, and accused the ICC, under Chairman Jay Shah, of acting as a "vehicle for promoting the narrative of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)."
Tarar’s frustration wasn’t isolated. Many Pakistani analysts and fans pointed out what they perceive as a double standard: "When any accusation is made against Pakistan, the ICC immediately starts promoting it, but when India flouts the established rules and regulations of cricket, the ICC hides," one commentator observed. The ICC’s swift response to the Afghan Cricket Board’s allegations, without independent verification, was seen by some as evidence of a broader campaign to isolate Pakistan in the cricketing world.
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi also weighed in, expressing disappointment over Afghanistan’s decision to withdraw. In a widely shared video, Afridi remarked, "I did not expect it to be like this. For the past 50–60 years, we have been taking care of them. I personally look after nearly 350 Afghan families in Karachi." He urged Afghan leaders to preserve the bond between the two nations and warned against letting external forces exploit their land. "It is regrettable that instead of sitting down and discussing things directly, you went and shook hands with those who have been involved in terrorism inside Pakistan for a long time. We have always welcomed you, provided you a place, and people have lived, worked, and done business here."
With Afghanistan’s withdrawal, the PCB moved swiftly to salvage the tri-series, announcing on October 18 that Zimbabwe would replace Afghanistan as the third team, alongside hosts Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The series, set to run from November 17 to 29, will now feature matches in Rawalpindi and Lahore, maintaining its original schedule. The PCB’s official statement emphasized that the tournament would serve as vital preparation for all three sides ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup slated for next year in India and Sri Lanka.
In the meantime, Afghanistan’s cricketers have not been idle. The national team is currently touring Zimbabwe, where they will play a one-off Test and three T20Is in Harare starting October 20. Pakistan, for its part, is hosting South Africa for a two-Test series followed by six white-ball games, all set to conclude by November 8. Sri Lanka, too, will arrive in Pakistan for a three-match ODI series before the tri-nation T20I contest kicks off.
Yet, the shadow of politics continues to loom large over the cricketing field. Many in Pakistan argue that the alliance between India and Afghanistan is turning cricket into a political front, with the aim of isolating Pakistan on the global stage. The sudden withdrawal of Afghanistan from the tri-series and the ICC’s perceived partiality have only intensified these suspicions. As one Pakistani analyst put it, "The India-Afghan nexus has also started using cricket as a weapon against Pakistan."
Pakistan’s official position remains firm: sports must be kept free from politics. Islamabad has called upon the ICC to conduct a thorough, impartial investigation into the allegations and to restore transparency and neutrality to international cricket. "Pakistan stands firm that politics must not poison sports, and urges the ICC to rise above regional affiliations, investigate impartially, and reaffirm the principles of fairness, neutrality, and global sports integrity," Minister Ata Tarar insisted.
As the dust settles and the tri-series approaches, one thing is certain: the intersection of cricket and politics in South Asia has rarely been more intense. With Zimbabwe stepping in and the ICC’s credibility under scrutiny, the upcoming matches will be watched not just for the cricketing action, but for what they might signal about the future of the sport in a region where boundaries—both literal and metaphorical—are constantly being tested.
For now, cricket fans across the world are left to hope that the spirit of the game prevails, and that the field remains a place for competition, not conflict. The tri-series in Pakistan will go on, but the absence of Afghanistan and the controversy swirling around the ICC ensure that this is a tournament no one will soon forget.
