New Zealand, who were touring Pakistan for the first time since 2003, had touched down the venue in two batches on Saturday and Sunday and were staying in an Islamabad facility in a bio-secure environment. However, security concerns led to the cancellation of the tour at the last moment.
The tour comprised of three ODI, which were to be played 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.
Meanwhile, arrangements for the players are being made to fly back to New Zealand.
New Zealand’s decision to opt-out of the tour comes at a time when international cricket is gradually marking its return in Pakistan after being in a slump for a decade due to the infamous attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore during their 2009 tour
The New Zealand contingent in Pakistan is now preparing to leave the country. The NZC said Pakistan had been “wonderful hosts” but added that player safety was “paramount”.
The touring board said it "will not comment on the details of the security threat nor the updated arrangements for the departing squad".
In his reaction to the decision, PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja said it had been a "crazy day", saying he felt sorry for the fans and Pakistani 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 New Zealand living in?? New Zealand will hear us at ICC," he wrote.
The New Zealand cricket team had arrived in Pakistan on September 11 for the first time in 18 years to play three ODIs and five Twenty20 Internationals.
By :Kiran Malik
@itx_kiranmalik
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