BIZZARREEE: Pakistan Cricket Board receives a biryani bill of INR 27 lakhs for security officials hired for New Zealand series

BIZZARREEE: Pakistan Cricket Board receives a biryani bill of INR 27 lakhs for security officials hired for New Zealand series

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and New Zealand captain Tom Latham

Pakistan’s limited-overs home series against New Zealand was unfortunately abandoned due to security concerns. The New Zealand Cricket (NZC) decided to pull out from the tour consisting of three ODIs and five T20Is. This was going to be a historic moment for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as they were set to host the Kiwis after a long wait since 2004.

Several reports claim that the PCB will incur significant losses as they had put immense efforts to conduct a fool-proof series. This also included massive spending on security personnel which meant five SPs and over 500 SSPs (police officers). However, recently unusual news came out claiming that the apex body needs to spend around INR 27 lakhs just to pay off the food bills of the officers in charge of security of the New Zealand team.

A recent article published in Anandabazar Patrika cited that each security personnel was served Biryani twice a day, the cost of which came to approximately ₹27 lakhs.

Official statements from PCB and NZC on tour cancellation

Pakistan Cricket Board

The cricket boards of both nations have issued their official statement on this unwanted fiasco.

“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 New Zealand cricket board of the same. The security officials with the NZ team have been satisfied with security arrangements made by the Govt of Pakistan throughout their stay here.,” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.

New Zealand Cricket wrote: “The side was to play Pakistan this evening 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. Arrangements are now being made for the team’s departure.”

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