New Zealand tour of Pakistan has been abandoned due to security concerns

New Zealand tour of Pakistan has been abandoned due to security concerns

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and New Zealand captain Tom Latham

The news coming from Lahore is devastating for all cricket fans as the limited-overs series between Pakistan and New Zealand has been called off due to security reasons. The two nations were set to play three One Day International (ODIs) and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) from Friday.

New Zealand were touring Pakistan for the first time since the 2003-04 ODI series. The Kiwis had touched down the venue in two batches on Saturday and Sunday respectively were staying in an Islamabad facility in a bio-secure environment. The Babar Azam-led side was scheduled to play against Tom Latham‘s men for three 50-over games in Rawalpindi on September 17, 19 and 21, followed by five T20Is, scheduled on September 25, 26, 29, and October 1 and 3 in Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

Official statements from PCB and NZC

New Zealand Cricket Team
New Zealand Cricket Team was to play against the Asian Giants despite absence of their several key players

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 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 the world over will be disappointed by this last-minute withdrawal,” 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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