Ramiz Raja, the new Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief is reported to have reacted with much concern over New Zealand’s decision to enter the country and then quit over security fears just hours before their first ODI was to start in Rawalpindi.
New Zealand had arrived in Pakistan for a three-match ODI and five-match T20 series.
“Walking out of the tour by taking a unilateral approach on a security threat is very frustrating. Especially when it’s not shared”, said Raja on social media after being appointed early this week as the new PCB chairman.
He said they will lodge a complaint with the International Cricket Council.
“Which world is NZ living in? NZ will hear us at ICC,” Raja added.
No specific details about the dangers or risks the New Zealanders could face on the tour of Pakistan were made clear by them.
“Until earlier today (Friday) we felt that the mood among New Zealand’s players was good and they were willing to play. We were confident in any case that we had the security protocols in place to ensure this tour would go ahead without incident”, a PCB official was quoted as saying.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) however defended their decision to pull out of the tour.
“Following an escalation in the New Zealand government threat levels for Pakistan, and advice from NZC security advisers on the ground, it has been decided the Black Caps will not continue with the tour,” NZC said on its website.
NZC chief executive David White said the advice he received made the tour impossible to continue and that he was supported by the New Zealand Cricket Players Association.
“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,” White said.