The New Zealand Cricket Board (NZC) called off their tour of Pakistan, minutes before the first ODI in Rawalpindi, citing security concerns. Pakistan were due to host New Zealand for a bilateral series after 18 years.

NZ's decision to return home without completing the tour has left Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in a huge financial loss. As per reports, the security agencies deployed for the Blackcaps were very costly and PCB now have to pay off PKR 27 lakhs for the food bills of the officers who were in charge of security.

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There were five SPs and over 500 SSPs (police officers) deployed for the security of the New Zealand cricket team along with the Pakistan Army in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. 

Each one of them were served Biryani twice a day, according to a report in Anandabazar Patrika, the cost of which came to approximately PKR 27 lakhs.

“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 Black Caps will not continue with the tour,” NZ had said in a statement.