Afghanistan Cricket Board sparks Pakistan row over map showing PoK, Gilgit-Baltistan within India

The promotional video was shared by the ACB on its official X account on Sunday, days before Afghanistan faces India in a three-match series in New Delhi.

PCB raises concerns with Pakistan Foreign Office

According to sources cited by CNN-News18, 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 clear.

However, sources told the network that Islamabad could consider taking up the issue at the international level, although no formal action has been announced so far.

The controversy comes amid already strained relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with the two countries locked in disputes over border and security issues.

Map controversy comes amid Kabul-Islamabad tensions

Relations between Kabul and Islamabad have deteriorated in recent months, with tensions involving border clashes and airstrikes.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban of providing shelter to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an allegation Kabul has denied. Islamabad blames the TTP for deadly attacks inside Pakistan.

Against this backdrop, Indian intelligence sources cited by CNN-News18 said tensions between the two neighbours could increasingly spill into the realm of soft power, including sports and cultural engagements.

The ACB's map depiction could be interpreted as a signal of Kabul's increasingly independent foreign policy and its willingness to deepen engagement with India without necessarily taking Pakistan's regional sensitivities into account.

One source described the move as an indication of Kabul's intent to maintain an independent foreign posture through sports diplomacy.

ACB promotes upcoming India series

The ACB shared the promotional video ahead of Afghanistan's three-match series against India in New Delhi.

The series is expected to draw significant attention amid the broader geopolitical tensions involving Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.

The map controversy has added another layer to the already strained Kabul-Islamabad relationship, with Pakistan now examining the implications of the ACB's promotional material.