Blackcaps abandon Pakistan tour unilaterally citing 'security concerns'

Rawalpindi: New Zealand (NZ) pulls out from the series in the face of security threats minutes before the commencement of the match on Friday.

"The BLACKCAPS are abandoning their tour of Pakistan following a New Zealand government security alert," the NZ cricket team tweets.

The BLACKCAPS are abandoning their tour of Pakistan following a New Zealand government security alert.

Arrangements are now being made for the team’s departure.

More information | https://t.co/Lkgg6mAsfu

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 17, 2021

Following the issue, the NZC Chief Executive David White said that 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.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister (PM) of Pakistan Imran Khan and PM of NZ Jacinda Arden had a telephonic conversation over this issue.

ہماری انٹیلی جنس ایجنسیز دنیا کے بہترین انٹیلی جنس سسٹمز میں شامل ہیں اور ان کی رائے میں نیوزی لینڈ کی ٹیم کو کسی قسم کے خطرہ نہیں ہے، تاہم نیوزی لینڈ کی وزیر اعظم نے ازحد احتیاط کی پالیسی کے پیش نظر دورہ ملتوی کرنے کی استدعا کی

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) September 17, 2021

New Zealand was set to play three ODIs and five T20Is across Rawalpindi and Lahore as part of their tour of Pakistan.

In a series of tweets, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on its official Twitter handle wrote, “Earlier today, the New Zealand cricket board informed us that they had been alerted to some security alert and have unilaterally decided to postpone the series”.

It further added, "PCB and Govt of Pakistan made foolproof security arrangements for all visiting teams”.

The three-match ODI series was to be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and Kiwis toured Pakistan for the first time in 18 years.

It is pertinent to mention here that New Zealand last toured Pakistan in November 2003 when they played five ODIs.

Since the 2003 ODI series, Pakistan has thrice hosted New Zealand for ODIs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the Kiwis winning the 2019-10 and 2014-15 series.