PESHAWAR: The New Zealand cricket team has left Pakistan in a chartered plane after week-long stay in Pakistan without playing a match.
According to officials, after the series was cancelled, emergency arrangements were made for the Kiwi team’s return. Strict security arrangements were made and the team was taken from hotel to Islamabad airport in box security. Police and army personnel were deployed at various places while motorway was also closed from Islamabad toll plaza, which caused long queues of vehicles.
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The New Zealand team had arrived in Pakistan after 18 years and took part in a practice session at the Pindi Cricket Stadium; however, they called off the tour just before the start of 1st ODI citing security threats on 1 7 September.
The three ODIs between Pakistan and New Zealand were scheduled for September 17, 19 and 21 at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. Following the ODI series, five T20 matches were to be played on September 25, 26, 29, October 1 and 3 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The Kiwi team last visited Pakistan in 2003.
The cancellation of Pakistan and New Zealand cricket series is a big blow to Pakistan. Since the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009, Pakistan has been trying to revive international cricket in the country. Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had told Prime Minister Imran Khan that her cricket team was in danger of being attacked outside the stadium. In a brief statement, PM Ardern said that her government supported the cancellation of the series because “the safety of the players was of prime importance.”
The England, West Indies and Australia are scheduled to visit Pakistan in the next six months. The England and Wales Cricket Board has said it will decide in the next 48 hours whether to cancel the next month tour or not.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad assured, “There is no threat to cricket in Pakistan, there was no threat to New Zealand and there will be no threat to England cricket team.”