The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has claimed that the death threat sent to Australian spinner Ashton Agar’s partner Madeleine on social media was found to be not credible after an investigation done by them.
Earlier, the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age had revealed that Ashton Agar’s partner Madeleine received a message on social media warning Ashton to not travel to Pakistan. The incident was immediately reported to CA and the PCB.
A team spokesperson also confirmed Agar received a death threat. Agar was said to be in good spirits despite the direct message sent to his wife.
Australia arrived in Islamabad for a historic tour, it's first in Pakistan since 1998. They will play three Tests, three ODIs, and one T20I on the tour with the first Test to begin in Rawalpindi from March 4 onwards.
Both Cricket Australia (CA) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had begun an investigation into this matter and in a statement said that the matter was not considered to be a risk.
“The PCB is aware of a social media post, of which the nature and content have been investigated by the PCB, CA and combined Government security agencies. There are extensive security plans in place for this type of social media activity, which, in this case, is not considered a risk. No further comment will be made at this time,” the board said in a statement.
When New Zealand toured Pakistan last September threats were sent out to the team on social media. Eventually, the Black Caps abandoned the tour without playing their white-ball series on the advice of their government which said there was a direct security threat to the touring side.
Pakistan has hosted only six Test matches since 2009 due to security reasons after the Sri Lanka team was attacked by terrorists in Lahore in March 2009.
(PTI inputs)
