PAK vs NZ cancelled – Pakistan vs New Zealand Cricket The Blackcaps have abandoned their limited-overs tour of Pakistan following a New Zealand government security alert, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) informed on Friday. The side was to play Pakistan on Friday in the first of three ODIs in Rawalpindi, before moving to Lahore for a five-match T20 series. New Zealand was slated to play their first match on Pakistan soil since 2003.
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PCB chairman Ramiz Raja expressed his disappointment over the situation, hinting at a possible protest to the International Cricket Council against NZC’s unilateral decision.
Pakistan bowling legend Shoaib Akhtar tweeted: “NZ just killed Pakistan cricket.” He added that New Zealand should remember that nine Pakistanis were killed in the Christchurch attack and that Pakistan stood strong with New Zealand.
PAK TRIED TO CONVINCE NZ TO PLAY WITHOUT SPECTATORS
The Pakistan government and security officials are understandably upset at Friday’s development as besides 4000 policemen, commandos of the Pakistan Army’s Special Services Group (SSG) were also deployed for the matches in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan’s interior minister also said at a press conference that they had even tried to convince New Zealand Cricket to play the match without spectators. “But they did not agree to even this,” he disclosed.
The New Zealand team will fly out of Pakistan in a chartered flight on Saturday. PCB CEO Wasim Khan confirmed that a chartered flight will be coming to take the New Zealand team back home. “It is a very sad thing that has happened today,” Khan said.
PAK vs NZ cancelled: New Zealand’s tour of Pakistan abandoned due to security concerns
PAK vs NZ cancelled – Pakistan vs New Zealand Cricket: According to an NZC release: “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.”
PCB’s newly appointed chief Ramiz Raja also took to Twitter to react to appolosie fans as New Zealand cancels the tour.
Crazy day it has been! Feel so sorry for the fans and our players. Walking out of the tour by taking a unilateral approach on a security threat is very frustrating. Especially when it’s not shared!! Which world is NZ living in??NZ will hear us at ICC.
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) September 17, 2021
PAK vs NZ cancelled – Pakistan vs New Zealand Cricket: NZC chief executive David White said it was simply not possible to continue with the tour given the advice he was receiving. NZC said arrangements are now being made for the team’s departure. New Zealand Cricket Players Association chief executive Heath Mills echoed White’s sentiments.
PAK vs NZ: ODI & T20 series cancelled due to security concerns, confirms NZC
NZC added it will not comment on the details of the security threat nor the updated arrangements for the departing squad.
NZ has canceled their tour to Pakistan hours before the start of the first match…citing security concerns. This might have serious consequences on the future tours to Pakistan. England-Australia and NZ (again) slated to travel to Pak in the next 12 months. #PakvNZ
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 17, 2021
PAK vs NZ cancelled – Pakistan vs New Zealand Cricket
PCB statement:
Earlier today, New Zealand Cricket informed us they had been alerted to some security alert and have unilaterally decided to postpone the series.
PAK vs NZ cancelled – Pakistan vs New Zealand Cricket: 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.
The security officials with the New Zealand team have been satisfied with security arrangements made by the Pakistan Government throughout their stay here.
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.
PAK vs NZ: New Zealand tour of Pakistan ODI Full Schedule
1st ODI – September 17
2nd ODI – September 19
3rd ODI – September 21
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PAK vs NZ cancelled – Pakistan vs New Zealand Cricket: New Zealand’s tour of Pakistan abandoned due to security concerns
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