CANCELLED

Afghanistan cut cricketing ties with Pakistan

by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on

The two boards had initially agreed to play two friendly T20 matches as a part of renewing ties © Getty

A bomb blast that killed over 80 people in Kabul on Wednesday (May 31) has led Afghanistan to call off cricketing ties with Pakistan. The Afghanistan Cricket Board confirmed the same via a strongly worded statement.

The bomb exploded in the diplomatic quarter in the vicinity of the German Embassy and the Afghan presidential palace in the morning.

Last week, the boards had agreed to renew ties by organising two friendly matches in both countries, and also raised the possibility of mutual tours by senior and youth teams. In addition to which, the PCB were to facilitate Afghanistan with venues for training and conditioning, like in 2013 when Afghanistan players were offered access to train at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.

The relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan has strained over a period of time due to border skirmishes, and cricket was seen as a way to promote peace and harmony.

"The ACB administration would like to offer its prayers and thoughts to the victims of today's attack in Kabul and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured in the attack," said the board in a statement. "By killing innocent and destitute people today, the enemies of Afghanistan's peace and stability showed that they are not worthy of friendship and will not change their stance against Afghans.

"In light of the findings of security services and calls by the Afghan people, the ACB hereby cancel all kinds of cricket matches and mutual relationship agreement with the Pakistan Cricket Board," it added. "No agreement of friendly matches and mutual relationship agreement is valid with a country where terrorists are housed and provided safe haven."

The Pakistan Cricket Board, however, retorted by saying that ACB's strongly worded statement was uncalled for and noted, "While our sympathies are with the victims and families affected by the tragedy, we reject the irresponsible statement made by the ACB and hereby announce the cancellation of the proposed series (Friendly T20s) between the two countries.

"PCB has always encouraged the development of cricket in Afghanistan and millions of Afghan refugees were first introduced to the game in Pakistan. Over the years, the PCB helped cricketers in Afghanistan develop their expertise and an entire generation of Afghan national players honed their cricketing skills in Pakistan," the release added.

"The informal understanding with ACB last weekend was strictly subject to conducive security conditions in Afghanistan and now stands cancelled because of continuing insecurity and instability there. It is also deeply regrettable that the ACB delegation in Pakistan was at pains to insist that politics should not impinge on cricket but has now turned around and is playing politics by laying the blame for its troubles and inadequacies on Pakistan."

The news was updated at 4.47 PM on June 1, 2017

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