England Tour of Pakistan – ECB likely to cancel tour: After the unexpected cancellation of New Zealand tour, now England tour of Pakistan is also very doubtful. According to the information coming in from sources in England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the English board is likely to cancel the tour & the announcement can be made as early as on Saturday.
The sources disclosed, with the New Zealand team cancelling the tour, ‘it is inconceivable the ECB board, who meet on Saturday, will allow their men’s and women’s teams to fly to Rawalpindi next month’
Eoin Morgan’s and Heather Knight’s sides were due to play a pair of double-headers on October 13 and 14, with the women staying on for three ODIs. England’s men have not visited Pakistan since 2005 – the same is likely to get cancelled.
PAK vs NZ cancelled: England tour of Pakistan ‘now very doubtful’, cancellation announcement can be made today
After 18 long years, Pakistan were eagerly waiting to host New Zealand at home but Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the country were dealt a big blow after New Zealand pulled out of the series just minutes before the first ODI in Rawalpindi citing security threat.
ECB in its official statement to InsideSport on Friday declared that the final decision will be taken in next 24 hours.
“We are liaising with our security team who are on the ground in Pakistan to fully understand the situation. The ECB Board will then decide in the next 24-48hrs whether our planned tour should proceed,” ECB said in a statement to InsideSport.
PAK vs NZ cancelled: A second-string England men’s side was supposed to play two T20Is on October 13 and 14 to prepare for the T20 World Cup. The women’s side would have stayed back and played two T20Is and three ODIs between October 13 and October 21.
Also Read: PAK vs NZ cancelled: New Zealand’s tour of Pakistan abandoned due to security concerns
PAK vs NZ cancelled: England to take call on Pakistan tour in 48 hours after New Zealand pulls the plug on long-awaited series at last minute
However, New Zealand’s last-minute pull-out has put a big question mark on future series in Pakistan, especially with NZC coming up with a statement indicating security threat. It has been reported in Pakistani media that PM Imran Khan spoke to New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern, urging her to continue with the tour but she didn’t budge.
“When I spoke with the Prime Minister of Pakistan I conveyed our thanks for taking care of the New Zealand Cricket team. I know how disappointing it will be for everyone that the game hasn’t gone ahead, but we totally support the decision that’s been made. Player safety has to be paramount,” Ardern said in a statement sent to Reuters.
PAK vs NZ cancelled: Series that are now in jeopardy
- West Indies Tour of Pakistan (December-January 2021)
- Asia Cup 2022
- Australia tour of Pakistan (2022)
- England Tour of Pakistan (2022)
PAK vs NZ cancelled: NZC Statement:
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.
PAK vs NZ cancelled: 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.”
PCB statement
More details ⬇️ https://t.co/ni0G7FtwfH
— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) September 17, 2021
PAK vs NZ cancelled: England to take call on Pakistan tour in 48 hours after New Zealand pulls the plug on long-awaited series at last minute
PAK vs NZ cancelled: PCB Statement:
“Pakistan Cricket Board and Pakistan Government made foolproof security arrangements for all visiting teams. We have assured the New Zealand Cricket of the same. The Pakistan 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,” PCB said in a statement.
PCB statement
More details ⬇️ https://t.co/ni0G7FtwfH
— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) September 17, 2021
“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,” stated the PCB.
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