New Zealand men abandon Pakistan tour after 'government security alert'
New Zealand's men team have abandoned their tour of Pakistan following a New Zealand government "security alert"
.
The Black Caps were
due to play Pakistan in the first of three one-day internationals in Rawalpindi
on Friday before moving to Lahore for a five-match Twenty20 series.
England's men's and
women's teams are due to play in Rawalpindi next month and the England and
Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said it will decide "in the next 24-48
hours" whether the matches will go ahead.
The men and women are
scheduled to play double-header T20 internationals on 13 and 14 October before
the women's side play three ODIs on 17, 19 and 21 October.
New Zealand's decision
to abandon their tour came after "an escalation in the New Zealand
government threat levels for Pakistan".
New Zealand Cricket
(NZC) has said it will not comment on the details of the security threat with
plans being put in place for the team to return home.
"I understand
this will be a blow for the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board), who have been
wonderful hosts, but player safety is paramount and we believe this is the only
responsible option," said NZC chief executive David White.
In December
2019, Pakistan played a Test at home for
the first time since the Sri Lanka team bus was attacked in 2009.
With international
teams opting not to tour because of security fears, Pakistan have played the
majority of their 'home' matches since 2009 in the United Arab Emirates, often
in front of sparse crowds.
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