The promo was shared by the ACB on its official X account on Sunday, days ahead of the three-match India-Afghanistan series in New Delhi.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has triggered a fresh diplomatic row with Pakistan after a promotional video for its upcoming series against India appeared to show Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit-Baltistan within India’s outline.
The promo was shared by the ACB on its official X account on Sunday, days ahead of the three-match India-Afghanistan series in New Delhi.
Sources told CNN-News18 that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has raised concerns over the map depiction with the Pakistan Foreign Office. The exact nature of the concerns conveyed by the PCB was not immediately known.
The source further stated that Islamabad could consider raising the issue at an international level, although no formal move has been announced so far.
The development comes at a time of sharply strained relations between Kabul and Islamabad, with the two sides locked in disputes over border and security issues.
Map row adds to Kabul-Islamabad tensions
The latest controversy comes amid escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, including border clashes and airstrikes. Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban of providing shelter to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Pakistan blames for deadly attacks inside the country.
Top Indian intelligence sources told CNN-News18 that such friction can increasingly play out through soft power, including cultural and sporting platforms.
According to the sources, the map depiction could be seen as a diplomatic signal from Kabul, indicating its independent foreign policy and willingness to engage with India without accommodating Pakistan’s regional sensitivities.
“Utilising its own branding to bypass Pakistan’s regional sensitivities signals Kabul’s intent to maintain an independent foreign posture in sports diplomacy,” the source said.
ACB promotes India series
The ACB shared the promo with a message highlighting the significance of the upcoming series.