The New Zealand cricket board have abandoned their tour of Pakistan on security concerns just before the opening and counter could get underway on 17 September, Friday. The Newzealand Cricket board have cancelled the tour and are all set to return back to New Zealand.
What New Zealand Cricket said on Tour Cancelation?
As per the New Zealand cricket board, official announcement the historic tour of Pakistan has been called off due to security concerns. The New Zealand team went to Pakistan for a 3 match ODI series in Rawalpindi and 5 match T20 Series in Lahore after a long span of 18 years. The New Zealand cricket team last visited any Asian country was in December 2003 for the white ball series.
“The security officials with the NZ team have been satisfied with security arrangements made by the Govt of Pakistan throughout their stay here. PCB is willing to continue the scheduled matches. However, cricket lovers in Pakistan and the world over will be disappointed by this last-minute withdrawal,” the New Zealand board’s official statement .
Pakistan Cricket Board official statement ,”Earlier today, the New Zealand cricket board informed us that they had been alerted to some security alert and have unilaterally decided to postpone the series. PCB and Govt of Pakistan made fool proof security arrangements for all visiting teams. We have assured the NZ cricket board of the same”.
“The Prime Minister spoke personally to the Prime Minister of New Zealand and informed her that we have one of the best Intelligence systems in the world and that no security threat of any kind exists for the visiting team. The security officials with the NZ team have been satisfied with security arrangements made by the Govt of Pakistan throughout their stay here. PCB is willing to continue the scheduled matches. However, cricket lovers in Pakistan and around the world will be disappointed by this last minute withdrawal.”
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The Pakistan cricket board chairman, Rameez Raja was very angry over the decision taken by New Zealand cricket. “Crazy day it has been!” he tweeted. “Feel so sorry for the fans and our players. Walking out of the tour by taking a unilateral approach on a security threat is very frustrating. Especially when it’s not shared!! Which world is NZ living in?? NZ will hear us at ICC.”
Both the boards have to take a decision of Rescheduling the series later. The series in Pakistan is in question mark once again.
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