NEW DELHI: Zimbabwe will take Afghanistan's place in the upcoming three-nation T20I tournament in Pakistan, scheduled from November 17 to 29, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Saturday.
Earlier in the day, Afghanistan had withdrawn from the event, citing the tragic deaths of three of its cricketers in what it claimed were Pakistani air strikes in the Paktika province.
Sri Lanka remain the third team in the tournament, which will be held in Rawalpindi.
While confirming Zimbabwe's inclusion, the PCB stated that "Afghanistan expressed their inability to participate in the tournament," without elaborating further.
"Zimbabwe Cricket has accepted the Pakistan Cricket Board's invitation to participate in a T20I tri-series also featuring Sri Lanka, to be staged in Rawalpindi and Lahore from 17 to 29 November," the PCB said.
"The maiden tri-series on Pakistan soil has been scheduled to provide all three sides with preparation ahead of next year's ICC Men's T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka."
The tri-series will kick off on November 17, with hosts Pakistan facing Zimbabwe at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The second match, also scheduled at the same venue on November 19, will see Sri Lanka take on Zimbabwe.
Following the two matches in Rawalpindi, the action will shift to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, which will stage the remaining five matches, including the final on November 29.
Earlier in the day, Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), in a post on X, stated that several lives were lost in the incident, including the three players returning home after a "friendly' match in Sharana, the provincial capital.
Statement of Condolence
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) October 17, 2025
The Afghanistan Cricket Board expresses its deepest sorrow and grief over the tragic martyrdom of the brave cricketers from Urgun District in Paktika Province, who were targeted this evening in a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.
In… pic.twitter.com/YkenImtuVR
"The ACB considers this a great loss for Afghanistan's sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family," it said in a statement.
Describing the incident as "tragic", the ACB said "as a gesture of respect to the victims" it had "decided to withdraw from participating in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series."
The ICC and the BCCI have also condemned the killing of the aspiring cricketers.
