A piece of heartbreaking news for all Pakistan cricket fans. Just before the toss of the first match, the New Zealand team refused to play the series against Pakistan.
At first, the news came out that 3 of the New Zealand players are tested negative for the COVID-19. After that New Zealand made a stance that they have received some security concerns and they will be unable to play the match.
Team New Zealand refused to visit the Pindi cricket stadium. After that, they called off their complete tour of Pakistan by saying that they can’t take any step against the lives of their players.
No official statements are being made. Pakistan’s Prime Minister called New Zealand’s Prime Minister to settle down the things but still, they did not let the tour continue.
Shoaib Akhtar, while giving an interview to Geo News said, “NZ came after completer security assurance, now they have damaged Pakistan. How can you back off Even when a Prime Minister of a country is calling you to give assurance.”
“It is a big embarrassment to us. NZ can now say whatever they want but there was no such thread to run away. They said that they want full proof security, we gave them that but still, they did this to us.”, He added further.
Sikandar Bakhat said by pointing to India that, “Our enemy is more clever than us, they played a game against us and succeed. At first, the world said that ISI has beaten America, now ISI is saying you that there is no security concern in Pakistan and you are not willing to believe this.”
He said more, “I said Wasim Khan that don’t lay down in front of England Cricket don’t give them that much important, he still did that and now England has kicked us”.
Former Spinner Abdul Rehman called it pre-planned stuff to embarrass Pakistan. He called Pakistan a long live and an important part of the cricket world and will remain. The same stuff was done in Kashmir Premier League and not in this series.
Pak vs NZ Called Off
PCB’s Stance on Series cancel
PCB’s stance on this series cancel is as follow:
“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. PCB and Govt of Pakistan made foolproof security arrangements for all visiting teams.
We have assured the NZ cricket board of the same. The Prime Minister spoke personally to the Prime Minister of New Zealand and informed her that we have one of the best Intelligence systems in the world and that no security threat of any kind exists for the visiting team.
The security officials with the NZ team have been satisfied with security arrangements made by the Govt of Pakistan throughout their stay here
PCB is willing to continue the scheduled matches. However, cricket lovers in Pakistan and around the world will be disappointed by this last-minute withdrawal.”
This is completely showing that PCB was willing to approve the security again and continue the tour. New Zealand ended up the tour by the one-sided statement.
NZ Stance On Series Cancel
“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”, New Zealand Cricket Players Association chief executive Heath Mills said.
NZC chief executive David White said it was simply not possible to continue with the tour given the advice he was receiving.
But there is no complete clearance that what sort of advice he was receiving.
We’ve been across this process throughout and are fully supportive of the decision,” he said.
“The players are in good hands; they’re safe – and everyone’s acting in their best interests”, he added further.
Was British High Commision Involved in it?
At first, New Zealand said that they have received the news from British High Commission about the security concern. But the British high commission has clarified that they were not involved in any sort of this situation and they have nothing to do with New Zealand.
This Was Not the First Time By New Zealand
At first, when APS happened Pakistan was willing to call the match off and pay it one day after the APS. New Zealand refused to do this. Then at the death of an Australian player, they did the same job but not for Pakistan.
Pakistan was the team to visit New Zealand after the Christchurch attack. After that, they behaved badly with Pakistan when some of the Pakistani players test positive for COVID.
Social Media Reaction On Series Cancel
I don’t think fans could have been sadder than today. Panty of hates to New Zealand in no time but no one knows the whole story.
Shan Masood said, “Pakistan has made monumental efforts to get international cricket back on track. We’ve lost a lot with no international cricket for 6 years in the past and today might set us back again. The pulling out and the abrupt timing of the decision are extremely disappointing.”
“A very sad day for the game of cricket! When Pakistan was well on way for the revival of cricket, this unfortunate turn takes place. Pakistan has one of the best security agencies in the world and when u get that kind of security, it surely means it’s safe”, Umar Gul tweeted.
Pakistani skipper was disappointed as well and showed his love and belief in security agencies.
Australian journalist Dennis marked Pakistan as the safest country in the world.
Final Words
Now eyes will be on the next team tour in Pakistan that is England. England is supposed to come to Pakistan next year for two T20is. Challenges are increased for Pakistan cricket now. We hope all this stuff settles down as soon as possible.
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