����ֱ��

ISLAMABAD: The Afghanistan Cricket Board has withdrawn its national team from next month’s Twenty20 tri-series in Pakistan after it claimed three local cricketers died due to Pakistan military strikes in southeastern Paktika province on Friday.
The ACB said in a post on social media Saturday that the cricketers were “targeted during a gathering” in Urgun district when they returned home after playing a friendly cricket match in Sharana, the capital of Paktika province.
Afghanistan cricket board spokesman Said Nasim Sadat identified the three players as Kabeer Agha Argon, Sibghatullah Zirok, and Haroon, who, like many Afghans, only goes by one name.
“The ACB considers this a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family,” the ACB said.
“In response of this tragic incident and as a gesture of respect to the victims, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to withdraw from participating in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series.”
Afghan captain Rashid Khan and the Afghanistan Sports Journalists Federation welcomed the decision. The federation condemned the strike as a “barbaric and shameful act, which stands in clear violation of all international laws.”
The tri-series, also featuring Sri Lanka, was due to be played in between Nov. 17-29 in Rawalpindi and Lahore as part of teams’ preparations for next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
It would have been second tri-series featuring Pakistan and Afghanistan in four months after both teams competed in a three-nation tournament in United Arab Emirates in September. Pakistan beat Afghanistan in the final of that tournament.

RIYADH: League football returned to the Kingdom following an international break that saw the Saudi national team confirm World Cup qualification, with reigning champions Al-Ittihad and AFC Champions League holders Al-Ahli both dropping vital points against A-Fayha and Al-Shabab respectively.

The start of the fifth round of the Saudi Pro League saw Al-Fayha take the lead at Al-Majma’ah Sports City Stadium with a goal from Fashion Sakala on the stroke of half-time. They were, however, pegged back by Ahmed Al-Ghamdi’s 64th face-saving equalizer for the champions.

The result left Al-Ittihad in second place, two points behind, with Al-Nassr having played one more match.

Meanwhile Al-Ahli also failed to claim three points, drawing 1-1 against visiting Al-Shabab at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. The home team took the lead through Ivan Toney after 15 minutes and looked to be holding on to a nervy win when Josh Brownhill levelled for Al-Shabab with just three minutes left.

Al-Ahli are now in fifth place with nine points from five matches, while Al-Shabab are 12th with five points from the same number of fixtures.

Also on Friday, Al-Kholood thrashed visitors Al-Najma 5-1 to lift themselves to an impressive fourth in the standing.