New Zealand cancels Pakistan tour citing security threat. Cricket News – Times of India

Rawalpindi: New Zealand skipped his cricket tour Pakistan Security concerns surprised the hosts on Friday just ahead of the Black Caps’ first scheduled match in Pakistan in 18 years.
New Zealand Cricket said that it has received a security warning from its government and has decided to cancel the tour moments before the scheduled start of the one-day international series. Rawalpindi. Both the teams stayed in their respective hotels.
“Following the increase in the threat level of the New Zealand Government to Pakistan, and in consultation with New Zealand Cricket Security advisors on the ground, it has been decided that the Black Caps will not continue with the tour,” NZC said on its website.
“Arrangements are being made for the team’s departure now.”

The Pakistan Cricket Board said Prime Minister Imran Khan spoke personally to New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern and informed her “we have one of the best intelligence systems in the world and no security of any kind for the visiting team”. The danger doesn’t exist.”
“The Pakistan Cricket Board and the Government of Pakistan have made elaborate security arrangements for all the visiting teams. We have also assured New Zealand Cricket about the same,” he said.

New Zealand were to play three ODIs and five Twenty20 matches in Rawalpindi. Lahore. NZC’s security team cleared both cities and security arrangements last month.
Chief Executive of NZC David White stated that the advice he received made it impossible to continue the tour, and was supported New Zealand Cricket Players Association.
“I understand it will be a blow to him PCB, who have been wonderful hosts, but the safety of the players is paramount and we believe that is the only responsible option,” White said.
The PCB said it did its best to convince the Kiwis, but “cricket lovers in Pakistan and around the world will be disappointed by this last-minute return (of New Zealand).”
Pakistan Cricket Board chief Rameez Raja said that New Zealand will have to answer for withdrawing from the ICC.

Pakistan was a no-go zone for international cricket teams for a decade after the Sri Lankan team bus was attacked by terrorists in Lahore in 2009. Seven people were killed in the ambush and several Sri Lankan cricketers were injured, including Thilan Samaraweera, who is involved in the New Zealand tour management. As batting coach.
Since international teams resumed touring Pakistan in 2019, this is the first instance of a team leaving the country.
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