Pakistan vs NZ tour called off minutes before 1st ODI out of security concerns

New Zealand’s tour of Pakistan has been completely called off due to security concerns, just minutes before the toss for the 1st one-day international was going to take place in Rawalpindi on Friday.

Reportedly the New Zealand cricket team refused to take the field and stayed inside their hotel rooms after being advised to do so by the NZC security advisors. The Pakistan Cricket Board said New Zealand Cricket informed it that “they had been alerted to some security alert and have unilaterally decided to postpone the series.

Pakistan was scheduled to host New Zealand for a series of 3 ODIs and 5 T20 internationals in Rawalpindi and Lahore from September 17 to October 3.

According to an NZC release: “The side was to play Pakistan this evening in the first of three ODIs in Rawalpindi, before moving to Lahore for a five match T20 series.

“However, following an escalation in the New Zealand Government threat levels for Pakistan, and advice from NZC security advisors on the ground, it has been decided the BLACKCAPS will not continue with the tour. Arrangements are now being made for the team’s departure.”

The New Zealand cricket team arrived in Pakistan on September 11 for a limited-over series marking the Kiwis’ first international series in the country since 2003.

Image courtesy of (Image courtesy: newsradio.lk)

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