|
New Zealand officials had informed the PCB that they were
"unilaterally suspending" all their scheduled matches in
Pakistan, the PCB said in a statement.
The series was scheduled to begin on Friday in Rawalpindi.
"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," the PCB said.
New Zealand were visiting Pakistan for the first time in 18
years and were due to play three one-day internationals and five
Twenty20 matches in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Hours before the PCB announcement, New Zealand refused to travel
to the stadium in Rawalpindi where they were due to play the
first one-day international against Pakistan, citing security
concerns, two Pakistani officials told Reuters before the PCB
announcement.
"New Zealand's government instructed them to stay in the hotel
due to security threats," one of the officials who was directly
involved in the security details said.
New Zealand's cricket board said arrangements were being made
for the team's departure back home, citing an escalation in
threat levels and the advice of security advisors.
(Reporting by Asif ShahzadEditing by Raissa Kasolowsky and Toby
Davis)
[© 2021 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2021 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
 |
|
