Just before the first ODI, New Zealand cricket governing body has announced that their team will put out of the tournament against Pakistan. This decision has been taken due to the security reasons around Rawalpindi in Pakistan. Ever since the Taliban have taken over Afghanistan. Pakistan Cricket Board says the decision to postpone the series is made unilaterally. The PCB have also added that they will be ready to go ahead with rescheduled matches. The cricket fans in Pakistan however are disappointed with the last minute withdrawals.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) in a statement said that the team will not continue with the tour following an “escalation in the New Zealand Government threat levels for Pakistan”. Both the teams were set to play a three-match ODI series followed by a five-match T20I series. New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White justified the last-minute decision and said that the safety of the players is paramount. Even after the Pakistan Cricket Board has set up proper security measures for visiting teams, the match will be rescheduled. David White also said “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,”
Hoping the security measures are planned well in Pakistan so that the matches can take place well!
