Post cancellation of friendly matches, PCB slams ACB's baseless allegations

Karachi [Pakistan], June 1 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has hit back over the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) after the latter cancelled the proposed series between the two countries in the wake of the recent Kabul attack. Blaming Pakistan of breeding terrorism on their soil, Afghanistan issued a strongly worded statement, cancelling the friendly matches including initially agreed terms of mutual cricketing relationship with Pakistan in light of a truck bombing in the city's diplomatic quarter that killed claimed more than 80 lives and injured hundreds. Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security (NDS) had claimed that the bombing was planned by the Haqqani network in Pakistan and had help from Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI. "The ACB hereby cancel all kinds of cricket matches and initial mutual relationship agreement with the PCB. No agreement of friendly matches and mutual relationship agreement is possible with a country where terrorists are housed and provided safe havens," the Afghan board wrote on their official Facebook page. Describing ACB's allegations as `baseless`, the PCB said that their sympathies are with the victims and families affected in the incident, but they would not allow Afghanistan to malign Pakistan. "The PCB strongly rejects the baseless allegations levelled by the ACB in the wake of the tragic Kabul blast. While our sympathies are with the victims and families affected by the tragedy, we reject the irresponsible statement made by the ACB and hereby announce the cancellation of the proposed series between the two countries," The Express Tribune quoted the PCB as saying. The PCB further said that they have always encouraged Afghanistan in developing their cricket as well as cricketers. "PCB has always encouraged the development of cricket in Afghanistan and millions of Afghan refugees were first introduced to the game in Pakistan. Over the years, the PCB helped cricketers in Afghanistan develop their expertise and an entire generation of Afghan national players honed their cricketing skills in Pakistan," the Pakistan board added. Earlier, in an attempt to further strengthen relations between the two countries, the PCB had also agreed to provide technical assistance to Afghanistan by giving training to curators, scorers, umpires and coaches. Meanwhile, PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said that Pakistan would try their best to help Afghanistan become a permanent member of the International Cricket Council (ICC). (ANI)