New Zealand Cricket on Friday made a shocking decision to abandon its ongoing tour of Pakistan just moments before the kick-off of the ODI series due to a security threat.
The trouble started when the ODI opener of the limited-overs series didn’t start on time at the Rawalpindi Stadium on Friday with both teams staying in their hotel rooms.
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 – NZC stated in a release.
New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White came up with a statement to say that it was not possible to proceed with the tour considering 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,” he stated in a press release.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board said: “New Zealand Cricket informed us they had been alerted to some security alert and have unilaterally decided to postpone the series.”
After New Zealand Cricket abandoned the white-ball series, fans from every nook and corner of the Pakistan cricket fraternity launched a scathing attack on India and PM Narendra Modi on social media sites. A verified Pakistani handle subtly blamed PM Modi for chalking out some conspiracy against Pakistan cricket.
Here’s the video below:
The Kiwis were expected to play three ODIs followed by five Twenty20 matches, in what would be their first white-ball series in Pakistan since 2003. It is cognizance of the fact that international cricket in Pakistan was suspended following the terror attacks against the Sri Lankan team in 2009. However, international cricket slowly revived over the past 2 years.