PCB demands public apology from ACB to revive cricketing ties with Afghanistan

Earlier this year, the cricket boards of Afghanistan and Pakistan mutually agreed to host a couple of friendly T20 matches between the two countries in July and August. However, on 31st May, an unfortunate incident took place. Afghanistan witnessed a bomb blast incident where almost 80 people were killed. Following the blast, Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) decided to cut off the series.

They even went to the extent of calling Pakistan a country where terrorists are provided safe heaven. “No agreement of friendly matches and mutual relationship agreement is valid with a country where terrorists are housed and provided safe haven,” said an ACB official after the blast. This statement created a stir in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan has now come to the decision that Pakistan will not revive cricketing ties with Afghanistan unless ACB issues a public apology for their controversial remark.

“One day, their chairman [Atif Mashal] met me and was very positive about having good relations. But next day he gave an extremely political statement about Pakistan, so then we told them that we don’t have anything to do with you. He later did express his regret on making the statement and had also apologised privately. But we, the board, have taken a position that until they apologise in public, we should not be reviving any cricketing ties with them,” said the fuming 83-year old.

Afghanistan fans wanted ACB to boycott the series

Atif Mashal met with the departing PCB chairman three days before the blast. Besides the friendly T20 series, PCB also wanted to set-up training camps for Afganistan and provide them with a venue where Afghanistan’s youth and the senior team can play. However, as soon as the friendly T20 series was announced, the cricket enthusiasts from Afghanistan took to Twitter to protest against their board’s decision. They wanted Mashal to boycott the series and snap all cricketing relations with Pakistan.