File pic – Afghanistan cricket team (AFP Photo)

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the three-nation T20I tournament will proceed as scheduled from November 17 to 29 in Lahore, despite Afghanistan’s withdrawal. The PCB is currently in discussions with other cricket boards to find a replacement team for the tournament, which includes Sri Lanka as the third participant.The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) pulled out of the tournament following their claim that three cricketers died in Pakistan’s air strikes in Paktika province.“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 stated.The PCB’s international cricket department is considering associate member teams like Nepal and UAE as potential replacements, though their priority remains securing a Test-playing nation for the tri-series.Pakistan will also host Sri Lanka for a separate three-match bilateral T20 series from November 11 to 15.Afghanistan and Pakistan have not played any bilateral series since Afghanistan gained Test status, though their A teams had previously visited Pakistan before receiving International Cricket Council recognition.The relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan cricket has been strained recently. During a tri-series in Sharjah before the Asia Cup, which included UAE, Pakistani and Afghan spectators were seated in separate enclosures to prevent potential conflicts.Pakistan had previously supported Afghanistan cricket by allowing their players to participate in domestic events.