In a surprising turn of events, the New Zealand tour of Pakistan which was scheduled to begin from September 17, 2021, with the first ODI to be played in Rawalpindi, has been called off minutes before the toss happened.

However, there was a considerable delay as no crowd was allowed inside the stadium, while both the teams were not on the ground practicing and it was later reported that they were asked to stay in their rooms.

Now the New Zealand cricket board (NZC) has revealed that the New Zealand tour of Pakistan has been abandoned after the team received a New Zealand government security alert. 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.

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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 New Zealand team will not continue with the tour.

Arrangements will now be made for the New Zealand team to return home.

NZC chief executive David White said it was simply not possible to continue with the tour given the advice he was receiving. He said: “I understand this will be a blow for the PCB, who have been wonderful hosts, but player safety is paramount and we believe this is the only responsible option.”

New Zealand Cricket Players Association chief executive Heath Mills echoed White’s sentiments.

“We’ve been across this process throughout and are fully supportive of the decision. The players are in good hands; they’re safe – and everyone’s acting in their best interests,” Mills said.

(NZC inputs)