New Zealand's tour of Pakistan has been completely canceled due to safety concerns, just minutes before the toss for the first one-day international was going to take place in Rawalpindi on Friday.The New Zealand cricket team is reported to have refused to enter in the field and remain inside their hotel rooms after New Zealand security advisers advised them to do so. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) 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 internationals 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.The BLACKCAPS are abandoning their tour of Pakistan following a New Zealand government security alert. Arrangements are now being made for the team’s departure. More information | https://t.co/Lkgg6mAsfu— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 17, 2021“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."Remind you, the New Zealand cricket team arrived in Pakistan on September 11 for a limited over series representing the country's first international kiwi series since 2003.Also Read- Misbah-ul-Haq, Waqar Younis resign as Pakistans head coach and bowling coach ahead of T20 World CupPCB WILLING TO CONTINUEThe Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed the developments and expressed their disappointment but also said that they are ready to proceed with the scheduled matches."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 fool proof security arrangements for all visiting teams. We have assured the New Zealand 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 world over will be disappointed by this last-minute withdrawal," the PCB statement said.Also Read- ICC T20 World Cup 2021 complete schedule: India to face Pakistan on October 24
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has to reduce its dependence on funding from the International Cricket Council (ICC) as much of cricket's global governing body gets its funding from India, said the board's chairman Ramiz Raja. Ramiz said that this effectively means that cricket in Pakistan is at the mercy of Indian businesses and any political pressure in India to stop this funding can spell disaster for the sport in the country. "The ICC is a politicised body divided between the Asian and Western blocs and 90 per cent of its revenues are generated from India. It is frightening," the PCB Chief said appearing before the Senate Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial affairs on Thursday in Islamabad. "In a way India's business houses are running Pakistan cricket and if tomorrow the Indian PM decides he will not allow any funding to Pakistan, this cricket board can collapse," he added, but did not elaborate on the specifics.Also Read- ICC T20 World Cup 2021 complete schedule: India to face Pakistan on October 24 The former Pakistan captain also said that the ICC has reduced into an "event management company" considering how New Zealand and England are pulling out of their tours of the country. New Zealand canceled their tour just minutes before the start of the first match citing a security threat and Ramiz said some good news could be in store regarding the series in a week's time. "What New Zealand did was unacceptable because till now they have not shared any information with us on what led them to abandon the series in Pakistan. But they are now trying to reschedule the series," said Ramiz. "The good thing is they are working on something which means they want to mend things with us," he said.Also Read- Virat Kohli becomes first Indian batsman to score 10,000 runs in T20 format
