PCB names Afghanistan’s replacement after cricketers’ deaths by Pakistan airstrikes lead to Tri-series withdrawal

After the Afghanistan Cricket Board, the PCB named Zimbabwe as the replacement side (Images via AP, X/@ACBofficials)

Zimbabwe Cricket has accepted the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) invitation to participate in a T20I tri-series alongside Pakistan and Sri Lanka, scheduled from 17 to 29 November in Rawalpindi and Lahore. The move comes after Afghanistan withdrew from the tournament following the deaths of three of their players in a recent airstrike in Paktika province.The tri-series on Pakistani soil is intended to give all three sides preparation ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka. “The Tri-Series will progress as scheduled even after Afghanistan’s withdrawal. We are looking at a replacement team and once finalised, the announcement will be made. The Tri-Series features a third team in Sri Lanka so it is on from 17th November,” a senior PCB official had said earlier.The tournament will open on 17 November with hosts Pakistan facing Zimbabwe at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Sri Lanka will meet Zimbabwe on 19 November, also in Rawalpindi. The action then moves to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, which will host the remaining five matches, including the final on 29 November.Pakistan will also host Sri Lanka in a separate three-match bilateral T20 series from 11 to 15 November.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board’s (ACB) withdrawal marks another setback in Pakistan-Afghanistan cricket relations, which have been strained in recent months. During a tri-series in Sharjah ahead of the Asia Cup, Pakistani and Afghan spectators were seated in separate enclosures to avoid potential conflicts. Prior to that, Pakistan had supported Afghanistan cricket by allowing their players to participate in domestic tournaments.

New T20I Tri-Series schedule

Zimbabwe’s participation ensures the tri-series goes ahead as planned, giving fans and teams valuable T20 preparation ahead of next year’s World Cup.