Rawalpindi, Pakistan (AP) —According to the Pakistani government, New Zealand canceled its cricket tour on Friday because it was wary of being attacked outside Rawalpindi Stadium.
New Zealand Cricket refuses to reveal the nature of security alerts from its government that prompted a sudden decision to cancel the moment of the tour before the scheduled start of the day’s international series in Rawalpindi bottom. Both teams were staying at the hotel.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan that cricketers could be attacked outside the stadium, according to Pakistan’s Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.
Khan, who is visiting Tajikistan for government, told Ardan that “we have one of the best intelligence systems in the world and there are no security threats of any kind to the visiting team.”
Ahmed supported Kahn at a press conference, saying there was no information about security threats to New Zealanders.
“He guarantees to her that the situation of law and order is the best in our country and we have no security issues here and no security threats.” The problem isn’t a threat, but I unilaterally canceled the tour because there was information that the team could be attacked if they went out. “
Security concerns have left Pakistani hosts a mystery.
The Pakistan Cricket Commission, in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan, said, “We have made absolute security arrangements for all visiting teams. We have guaranteed the same for cricket in New Zealand.”
PCB Chair Ramiz Raja hinted at protesting the International Cricket Council against the NZC’s unilateral decision.
“It was a crazy day! I’m very sorry to the fans and players,” Raja tweeted. “It’s very frustrating to take a one-sided approach to security threats and get out of the tour. Especially when it’s not shared !! What world does New Zealand live in ?? New Zealand is an ICC Will listen to us. “
NZC states on its website: “With the rising threat level of Pakistan by the New Zealand government and advice from the NZC security advisors in the field, Blackcaps has decided not to continue the tour. The team is currently preparing for departure. increase.”
New Zealand’s first visit to Pakistan in 18 years was to feature three ODIs in Rawalpindi and five Twenty20s in Lahore. Both the city and security arrangements were cleared by the NZC security team last month.
Mr Ahmed said Pakistan allowed the match to be hosted without spectators, but New Zealand declined the offer. Therefore, Pakistan has allowed Rawalpindi and Lahore stadiums to have 25% spectators for the pandemic. However, Pindy Stadium was not open to spectators on Friday as New Zealand decided to cancel the tour.
NZC CEO David White said the advice he received made it impossible to continue the tour, and he was supported by the New Zealand Cricketers Association.
“I understand this will be a blow to the great host PCB, but I believe that player safety is a top priority and this is the only responsible option,” White said.
The PCB said it did its best to convince Kiwi, but said “Pakistan and cricket enthusiasts around the world will be disappointed with the last (New Zealand) withdrawal.”
Pakistani captain Babar Azam expressed disappointment with the cancellation, and former Pakistani high-speed bowler Shoaib Akhtar tweeted that “New Zealand killed Pakistani cricket.”
The England men’s and women’s team are scheduled for a short two-game T20 series in Pakistan next month, and the England and Wales Cricket Commission have said they will make a final call on this weekend’s tour.
Men in England have not played international in Pakistan since 2005 during their first visit to women.
“We are aware of New Zealand’s decision to withdraw from the Pakistan tour due to security warnings,” the ECB said. “We are in contact with our security team in Pakistan to fully understand the situation. After that, the ECB Board will decide whether to continue the scheduled tour 24-48. Will be decided in time. “
Pakistan has been an exclusion zone for international cricket teams for 10 years after terrorists attacked the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009. The ambush killed seven people and injured several Sri Lankan cricketers, including one of New Zealand’s tour managers, Tiran Samaraweera. As a batting coach.
This is the first example a team must abandon while in Pakistan since the international team resumed touring Pakistan in 2019.
Heath Mills, Chief Executive Officer of the New Zealand Cricket Players Association, said: “They are safe and everyone is acting in their best interests.”
Munir Ahmed of Islamabad contributed to this report
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New Zealand abandons Pakistan’s cricket tour to watch out for attacks | World
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