Afghanistan cancels friendly T20 matches against Pakistan
June 01, 2017  15:27
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Afghanistan have cancelled proposed home and away cricket fixtures with Pakistan after a deadly bomb attack blamed by the countrys intelligence agency on militants allegedly backed by Islamabad.

Pakistan were set to play their first Twenty20 match in Kabul later this year in what was seen as an opportunity for the neighbours to ease tensions over border skirmishes and alleged proxy warfare.

The Kabul match, set for July or August, would have been followed by a fixture in Pakistan and a full series at an unspecified date.

But the Afghanistan Cricket Board issued a strongly worded statement late on Wednesday, cancelling the matches in light of a truck bombing in the citys diplomatic quarter that killed at least 90 people.

No group has claimed responsibility for Wednesdays attack, although the Taliban has denied involvement.

The ACB hereby cancel all kinds of cricket matches and initial mutual relationship agreement with the Pakistan Cricket Board, the Afghan board said on its Facebook page.

No agreement of friendly matches and mutual relationship agreement is possible with a country where terrorists are housed and provided safe havens.

Afghanistans intelligence agency has blamed the Taliban-allied Haqqani Network for the attack, which has been linked to Pakistans military in the past.

The development leaves Pakistans cricketers even more isolated in the region.

India has refused to play a full series since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, while ties with fellow Test team Bangladesh have also soured after Pakistan pulled out of a planned series in July.

Pakistani officials said they were unhappy that Bangladesh were not willing to send their team to Pakistan.
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