PESHAWAR: The ODI and T20 series between Pakistan and New Zealand has been cancelled “due to security threats”. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that New Zealand has abandoned the series unilaterally, claiming that fool proof security arrangements were made for the vising team.
The first match between Pakistan and New Zealand was scheduled to take place at the Pindi Cricket Stadium today, but players and support staff were not allowed to the ground and gates were kept close for spectators.
Initially, sources had said that the match was canceled due to coronavirus cases at the hotel but later on it was informed that the match has been stopped due to security reasons. “The security officials with the NZ team have been satisfied with security arrangements made by the government of Pakistan throughout their stay here,” the PCB said in a statement.
The PCB said that it is ready to continue the series according to the schedule as it will disappoint cricket fans across the world but the NZ team called off the tour, saying that the players would be heading home, due to “increased security” concerns.
The interior minister Shaikh Rashid Ahmed is expected to address a press conference today at 5pm to explain the matter. However, Information minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said that Prime Minister Imran Khan contacted the Prime Minister of New Zealand and assured that the NZ team in Pakistan has foolproof security and according to the PCB, the NZ itself is satisfied with the security arrangements in Pakistan.
The minister said, “Our intelligence agencies are among the best agencies in the world and in their opinion there is no threat to the NZ team, however the Prime Minister of NZ requested to postpone the visit in view of the policy of extreme caution.”
The NZ Cricket Team Chief executive David White said in a statement, “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.” White said that it is not possible continue with the tour given the advice he was receiving.
After 18 years, a relatively ‘weak’ team toured Pakistan but not because of security reasons but due players contracts with the Indian Premier League. Earlier in the morning the Pakistan Cricket Board has announced that DRS technology would not be used in the three-match ODI and five-match T20 series. Newly appointed PCB chairman Rameez Raja has decided to investigate the absence of DRS in the series. Raja vowed that action would be taken against responsible officials for negligence.