Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently suffered two big setbacks as New Zealand as well as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) opted to pull out of their respective tours to Pakistan. Having agreed to tour Pakistan after 18 years, the Black Caps stunned the PCB by deciding to pull out of the tour at the last minute.
Former Pakistani skipper Wasim Akram, who remains to be one of the widely respected figures in world cricket, reacted to the cancelled tours and asked the countrymen to support the Men in Green with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 around the corner.
“I know you’re all very disappointed with New Zealand and England when they cancelled their tours. Especially New Zealand, for cancelling it at the last moment. I am equally disappointed, equally down and equally sad. But life has to go on. Like our chairman Ramiz Raja said, support Pakistan. The team they have picked for the World Cup, let’s support them for once,” Akram said in a video shared by Cricket Pakistan.
Minutes before the toss ahead of the 1st ODI, the Black Caps pulled out of the tour citing security concerns. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) refused to share any details about the information they received over security issues. Soon after, even England refused to tour Pakistan citing the well-being of its players.
Sharing words of motivation for Babar Azam and his men, Akram added that if Pakistan performs well as a team, other teams around the world will run after them.
“We will criticize them later if the need arises and will figure out solutions too. But right now, we all need to come together as a unit and support out team. If teams don’t want to come, let them not. But if our side performs well, teams all around the world will run behind Pakistan. So all the best, Pakistan team. We are all behind you,” Akram added.
Pakistan cricket has witnessed plenty of changes of late ever since former Pakistani player Ramiz Raja was appointed as the new PCB chairman. While Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis stepped down from their positions a day after Raja was appointed, PCB CEO Wasim Khan has also parted ways with the board on September 29 (Wednesday).
“Pakistan Cricket Board today confirmed Wasim Khan has tendered his resignation as Chief Executive. As is the process, the BOG (Board of Governors) will meet later today to consider the matter,” PCB said in a statement.
