• Final decision to be announced soon, says PCB spokesperson.
• Zimbabwe approached as potential replacement: sources
• Tri-series set to be held in Pakistan from November 17 to 29.

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday confirmed that the Tri-Nation T20I series will take place as per schedule, despite Afghanistan pulling out of the tournament amid the recent tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

A PCB spokesperson told Geo News that the event, set to be held in Pakistan from November 17 to 29, will proceed according to the original schedule, as the cricket board is considering options for the third team.

The spokesperson added that the final decision would be announced soon.

Sources privy to the developments indicated that the PCB has approached the Zimbabwe Cricket Board as a potential replacement for Afghanistan. The tri-nation series was originally slated to feature Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, with the final scheduled at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

Islamabad and Kabul witnessed heightened tensions since October 12, when the Taliban forces and India-backed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), alias Fitna al-Khawarij, resorted to an unprovoked attack on Pakistan.

The Pakistan Armed Forces gave a befitting response to the aggression, killing over 200 Afghan Taliban and affiliated militants in a self-defence action. The military’s media wing said that 23 soldiers embraced martyrdom in the clashes with the Taliban forces and the terrorists.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that a high-level delegation led by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif will hold talks with representatives of the Afghan Taliban in Doha today (Saturday).

The foreign ministry said that the talks will primarily focus on “immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism against Pakistan emanating from Afghanistan” and on restoring “peace and stability along the Pak-Afghan border.”

“Pakistan does not seek escalation, urges the Afghan Taliban authorities to honour their commitments to the international community and address Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns by taking verifiable action against terrorist entities, including the FAK/TTP and FAH/BLA,” the Foreign Office posted on X.

The ministry also appreciated the mediation efforts of Qatar and hopes these discussions contribute to peace and stability in the region.

This is a developing story and is being updated with the latest information.

Sarah Paulson just remembered her late friend as well as co-star, Diane Keaton.

After the Oscar-winning actress passed away on October 11, at the age of 79, Sarah spoke to Access Hollywood at the premiere of her new Hulu series All’s Fair, about the loss of her pal and how she’s struggling to cope up with grief.

“She was a very dear friend of mine, so it’s not something I’m able to talk about yet. I’m not able to talk about it,” she admitted.

The Ocean’s 8 star further mentioned, “But all I can say, and I have been saying tonight, which is important to me to communicate, is that what you thought she was as a performer, she was even more spectacular as a human being.”

Sarah and Diane first met while filming the 1999 movie The Other Sister, in which Diane played her fellow actress’ on-screen mother.

“I was the luckiest person in the world to have had her in my life the way that I did,” the Run talent said.

At the same event, Sarah also spoke to The Hollywood Reporter and described Diane’s death as “profoundly sad.”

“I can’t talk about it in any way that’s articulate other than to say that for all you knew and loved about her as a performer, she was even more as a friend,” Sarah Paulson concluded.

It is pertinent to mention that Diane’s family confirmed her death on October 16, stating that she passed away due to pneumonia on October 11.

In a statement released to the press, they said: “The Keaton family are very grateful for the extraordinary messages of love and support they have received these past few days on behalf of their beloved Diane.”

“She loved her animals and she was steadfast in her support of the unhoused community, so any donations in her memory to a local food bank or an animal shelter would be a wonderful and much appreciated tribute to her,” the statement concluded.