New Zealand abandons Pakistan cricket tour over ‘security alert’
New Zealand has called off its tour of Pakistan due to security concerns. The tour was scheduled to take place in September, but the PCB has since expressed its disappointment at the decision.
The tour, which included five T20Is and three One-dayers, was supposed to start on October 14. Both the teams stayed at their respective hotels on the morning of the match.
The Blackcaps’ tour of Pakistan was canceled following an escalation in the country’s threat levels.
David White, the chief executive of New Zealand cricket, expressed his sympathy for the PCB and their decision to pull out of the tour due to the deteriorating conditions in Pakistan.
The PCB responded with a statement indicating its unhappiness at what it called a “unilateral” decision.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan that player safety was of paramount importance to her country.
The New Zealand cricket board has decided to postpone the tour of Pakistan due to a security alert. The government and the PCB have made all arrangements for the safety of the visiting teams.
“The security officials with the NZ team have been satisfied with security arrangements made by the Govt of Pakistan throughout their stay here.”
The security measures taken prior to the match were significant; it was revealed that multiple checkpoints and security searches were conducted around the stadium. The New Zealand team had also held training sessions at a nearby hotel.
It was New Zealand’s first visit to Pakistan since 2003. They were scheduled to play five one-day internationals in 2002.
