The New Zealand cricket team has cancelled its tour of Pakistan citing security concerns hours before the first match was to be held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
The Pakistan Cricket Board issued a statement, saying that the New Zealand Cricket told the board that they have been told that there was a 'security alert', after which they decided to cancel the series.
The New Zealand team in Pakistan is now making preparations to leave the country. According to reports, the NZ cricket board said that Pakistan had been 'wonderful hosts', but safety of the players was important. The NZ board however stopped short of detailing the security alert which forced it to leave the country. The updated arrangements for the departing squad were not shared either.
Further, the statement said that Prime Minister Imran Khan also had a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern, informing her that Pakistan had 'one of the best intelligence systems' in the world and there was no security threat of any kind.
The Pakistan Cricket Board issued a statement, saying that the New Zealand Cricket told the board that they have been told that there was a 'security alert', after which they decided to cancel the series.
The New Zealand team in Pakistan is now making preparations to leave the country. According to reports, the NZ cricket board said that Pakistan had been 'wonderful hosts', but safety of the players was important. The NZ board however stopped short of detailing the security alert which forced it to leave the country. The updated arrangements for the departing squad were not shared either.
Further, the statement said that Prime Minister Imran Khan also had a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern, informing her that Pakistan had 'one of the best intelligence systems' in the world and there was no security threat of any kind.