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KABUL: Afghanistan has withdrawn its national cricket team from next month’s tri-nation tournament in Pakistan, after three Afghan cricketers were killed in overnight Pakistani military strikes amid the latest flare-up of tensions between the neighbors. 

The deadliest clashes in years between the two countries started last week and were triggered by an unclaimed explosion in Kabul and another in the southeastern province of Paktika, for which the Afghan government blamed the Pakistani military. 

After days of bloody border fighting that killed dozens of soldiers and civilians from both nations, Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed to a 48-hour truce on Wednesday, which was extended as officials from the two countries held talks in Qatar on Saturday. 

However, according to a post on X from the Afghan Taliban government’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, “Pakistani military forces once again conducted airstrikes on civilian areas in Paktika” on Friday. 

The Afghanistan Cricket Board said on Saturday that three Afghan players were among those killed in the latest airstrikes, with local media outlets placing the death toll at 17. 

“A drone strike in Urgun district of Paktika province has killed three domestic cricket players … following their return from a local tournament in the provincial capital, Sharana … The deceased players have been identified as Sibghatullah, Kabeer Agha and Haroon,” Sher Dil Danish, ACB provincial manager in Paktika, told Arab News.

In a statement issued after the attacks, the ACB said it was withdrawing from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series, which was scheduled to take place in Rawalpindi and Lahore from Nov. 17 to 29. 

Cricket is regarded as the most popular sport in Afghanistan and has represented a rare bright spot for many Afghans as they struggle amid a devastating economic and humanitarian crisis sparked by sanctions slapped on the Taliban administration following their takeover in 2021.

“Cricket and sports have brought nothing but happiness and hope to our country in some of the darkest times. It’s very sad to see our sportsmen being targeted,” Ahmadullah Khalid, a lecturer at Afghanistan’s Paktia University, told Arab News. 

“This strike represents not only a grave violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty but a brutal assault on innocent lives, including young athletes who symbolized hope and unity for our nation … Targeting civilians in a border province already grappling with instability shows a reckless disregard for international law and human decency. This should not be acceptable to anyone,” Khalid added.

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.