PAKISTAN VS NEWZEALAND CRICKET SERIES

New Zealand Cricket Team visited Pakistan in September 2021 and were planned to play 3 One Day International (ODIs) and 5 Twenty20 International matches. Since 2003 It was New Zealand's first visit to Pakistan.

WITHDRAWL OF THE TOUR

On the morning of the 1st ODI match, NZC (New Zealand Cricket) upraised a security alert with PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) and the Pakistan Government which brought about the whole tour being canceled. This sudden cancellation of the tour over security concerns confused the hosts.

NZC said they got a security alert from their administration and decided to drop the visit minutes before the planned beginning of the ODI series in Rawalpindi. Both the teams remained at their hotels.

New Zealand Cricket said on their website, Following an increase in the New Zealand government’s security concerns in Pakistan, and instructions from New Zealand Cricket security consultants, it has been chosen the ‘Kiwis’ won't proceed with the visit.

Recently, the NZCB (New Zealand Cricket Board) has informed us that they had been warned of some security threats and have chosen to delay the series.

Pakistan Cricket Board and the Government of Pakistan made all the security arrangements for the visiting team.

In a tweet on 17th September 2021, the Pakistan Cricket Board said that they have made fool proof security arrangements for the departure of visiting team

The thing which is more confusing is that New Zealand Cricket has not revealed the nature of the security threat they were being informed about.

PCB said Imran Khan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan talked personally to Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, and informed about the fool proof security arrangements made by the Pakistani government for the security of the visiting team. He also said that Pakistan has one of the best Intelligence Systems in the world so there is no security threat for visiting teams exists in Pakistan.

The administrator of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Ramiz Raja implied they will protest to the (ICC) International Cricket Council against the unilateral decision of New Zealand Cricket.

In his tweet, Ramiz Raja further said that this has been a very insane day and that he is also feeling upset for the players and fans of the cricket.

The New Zealand cricket team was to play 3 One Day Internationals in Rawalpindi and 5 Twenty20 matches in Lahore. All the security arrangements in both the cities were already cleared last month by New Zealand’s security team.

CEO of New Zealand Cricket, David White said that the advice from the security consultants received were the reason for canceling the tour, NZC Players Association also supported him

Pakistan Cricket Board said they made an honest effort to convince the ‘Black Caps’ but the fans of cricket in Pakistan and around the world will be disheartened by this sudden cancellation of the matches.

Captain of Pakistani Cricket Team, Babar Azam conveyed his disappointment at this last-minute withdrawal of New Zealand, while Shoaib Akhtar, former fast bowler of Pakistan also tweeted that New Zealand has just killed the cricket in Pakistan.

England’s women and men teams are expected to play short 2-match T20 series in Pakistan one month from now, and the Wales Cricket Board said they would take the final decision about the tour by the end of this week.

England Cricket Board said that they are aware of the decision of New Zealand Cricket of cancelling the tour due to security threat and we are communicating with our security consultants who have already been in Pakistan to analyse the situation.

For a decade Pakistan has been a no-go area for International Cricket teams after the terrorist attacks on Sri Lankan Cricket Team Bus in 2009. The snare killed seven individuals and harmed a few Sri Lankan players.

Since International Cricket Teams started visiting Pakistan again in 2019, this was the very first time that a team abandon the series minute before starting the match.

TWITTER REACTION TO THE INCIDENT

Pakistan's cricket players expressed their disappointment.

Babar Azam 

(@babarazam258) 17thth September 2021

Extremely disappointed to hear this sad news about this unexpected delay of the series, which might have brought happiness and smiles back for Pakistani Cricket lovers. I've full confidence in the credibility and capabilities of our security offices. They are our pride and consistently will be.

Hassan Ali

(@RealHa55an) 17thth September 2021

It is making me more disappointed thinking about how dishearted our fans would be after receiving this bad news. To the whole world, I want to say it again that our state is safe for cricket.

Fakhar Zaman

(@FakharZamanLive) 17thth September 2021

The security condition in Pakistan is satisfactory and great. The New Zealand Cricket team was facilitated with foolproof security. After complete satisfaction and assurance, this last-minute withdrawal of new Zealand is really sad.

Shaheen Shah Afridi

(@iShaheenAfridi) 17thth September 2021

I wish I could express my disappointment in words. We not only possess the best intelligence system in the world but many International teams have peacefully and successfully completed their visits in Pakistan.

Ramiz Raja

(@iramizraja) 17thth September 2021

Insane day it has been, Feeling really sad for our players and fans. Canceling the visit by adopting a unilateral strategy on a security concern is really disappointing.

Junaid khan

(@JunaidkhanREAL) 17thth September 2021

Disappointing news, New Zealand might have used any other explanation for this last moment cancellation. Security isn't an explanation since Pakistan has the best intelligence system in the world.

Daren Sammy

(@darensammy88) 17thth September 2021

Frustrated awakening to the news on the dropping of PakvsNZ series due to security threat. Since I have been visiting and playing in Pakistan, it has been one of the most pleasant experiences of my life. I've generally had a sense of security in Pakistan. This is a gigantic hit to Pakistan.

 Daniel Alexander

(@daniel86cricket) 17thth September 2021

Sri Lanka had played all three formats of cricket in Pakistan. Zimbabwe, South Africa, Bangladesh, and West Indies played in Pakistan. Various International Players played for PSL and World XI in Pakistan, including the ‘Kiwis’. All this was possible due to the safe and secure conditions for cricket in Pakistan.

Shoaib Akhtar

(@shoaib100mph) 17thth September 2021

New Zealand has just killed the cricket in Pakistan.

Harsha Bhogle

(@bhogleharsha) 17thth September 2021

This was huge news about New Zealand Cricket’s cancellation of PakvsNz series and going back to their home minutes before starting their first ODI. Feeling sad for Pakistani cricket lovers however since this is a result of a perceived security alert, it will affect other foreign teams visiting there as well.