The decision sent shockwaves through the cricketing community, as both teams were already at the stadium, ready to commence play.
The New Zealand Cricket Board (NZC) stated that concerns for their players’ safety prompted the sudden withdrawal.
The highly anticipated tour, which would have been New Zealand’s first visit to Pakistan in 18 years, included three ODIs and five T20Is.
AFP Photo
However, just before the first match, NZC received information about a credible security threat.
After consulting with security officials and the New Zealand government, the board made the decision to cancel the entire series and quickly arranged for the team to leave Pakistan.
“Player safety is paramount, and following an escalation in the threat level, we felt it was the only responsible course of action,” said David White, the NZC Chief Executive.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed disappointment over the abrupt pullout, especially considering the extensive security measures they had implemented for the tour, while also acknowledging the importance of player safety.
Pakistan had made significant efforts to ensure a safe environment for the series, providing high-level security comparable to that offered to visiting heads of state.
However, New Zealand’s concerns about the threat took precedence over these precautions.
The withdrawal dealt a significant blow to Pakistan’s efforts to regain the trust of international cricket boards after years of being sidelined from hosting top teams due to security concerns.
The PCB had worked diligently in recent years to bring international cricket back to Pakistan, making this sudden cancellation a setback for those efforts.
The incident also sparked broader discussions about the future of international cricket tours in the country.
