KARACHI: The New Zealand cricket team has called off its tour of Pakistan, minutes before the first match was due to begin in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi, following an unspecified security alert issued by the New Zealand government.
The BlackCaps were due to take on Pakistan Friday evening in its first match on Pakistani soil for 18 years in the first of three ODIs in Rawalpindi, before moving to Lahore for a five match T20 series.
However, following an escalation in the New Zealand government threat levels for Pakistan, and advice from NZC security advisors on the ground, it has been decided the BlackCaps will not continue with the tour.
However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the tour had been cancelled “unilaterally” by NZC despite “foolproof security arrangements” made for the series.
“PCB is willing to continue the scheduled matches,” said a PCB statement. “However, cricket lovers in Pakistan and around the world will be disappointed by this last minute withdrawal.”
Arrangements are now being made for the team’s departure.
NZC chief executive David White said it was simply not possible to continue with the tour given the advice he was receiving.
“I understand this will be a blow for the PCB, who have been wonderful hosts, but player safety is paramount and we believe this is the only responsible option.”
New Zealand Cricket Players Association chief executive Heath Mills echoed White’s sentiments.
“We’ve been across this process throughout and are fully supportive of the decision,” he said.
“The players are in good hands; they’re safe – and everyone’s acting in their best interests.”
NZC offered no comment on the details of the security threat nor the updated arrangements for the departing squad.
The development will be seen as a blow to the PCB’s efforts to bring full international cricket with all teams back to Pakistan, after the country’s team was forced to play in exile for six years following a 2008 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore.
Since 2015, when the Zimbabwean men’s cricket team held a historic tour to mark the return of international cricket to Pakistan, there have been several tours by other countries. In January, the South African team played the latest of those tours.
Questions now remain over whether the England men’s cricket team will continue with plans for its tour of the country next month.
