The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was hit with a big blow a few hours back as New Zealand Cricket (NZC) abandoned the tour due to a security threat. The NZ cricket team had landed in Pakistan last week and the players were done with all the protocols.

They had also participated in practice sessions and were scheduled to reach the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium for the opening ODI in the afternoon. However, they didn’t leave the team hotel and just a few minutes before the scheduled start of the fixture, it was confirmed that the series is called off.

The NZC mentioned that the tour is off due to a security threat and that it was the only responsible option. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also issued an official statement and revealed that Prime Minister Imran Khan had spoken to NZ PM Jacinda Ardern. He denied any security threat but the NZC decided to call off the series.

NZ’s decision to pull out of the series hasn’t gone down well with former Pakistan cricketers. Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi slammed NZ and alleged that they pulled out on a hoax threat.

“On a HOAX threat you have called-off the tour despite all assurances!! @BLACKCAPS  do you understand the IMPACT of your decision?”

According to former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar, NZ has killed Pakistan cricket by pulling out of the tour.

“First of all, I want to give the NZC team board a message. You have not come here to play a club side, this is Pakistan’s national cricket team. I am angry because I am not able to understand on what basis are the Kiwis threatening us? You are talking about Pakistan. The greatest country on this planet. So, behave yourselves (Blackcaps) and stop giving the kind of statements that you will cancel the tour against Pakistan,” he said after the cancellation of the series. 

In its release, the PCB mentioned that it is willing to reschedule the series but the NZ players are set to return home soon. Those who are part of the T20 World Cup will fly to UAE next month. It is to be noted that NZC had named a second-string squad for Pakistan and Bangladesh tours as their 7 first-choice are in UAE to take part in the 2nd phase of IPL 2021, which kicks off on September 19.

Following the T20 World Cup, the NZ cricket team will land in India to take on the hosts in the Test and T20I series.