Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Hafeez on Saturday (September 18) took a jibe at the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) for pulling out of the tour citing security concerns. 

"Thanks to the security of Pakistan forces to make arrangements to @BLACKCAPS to reach at airport Safe & Sound. Wonder same route & same security but no threat today???", tweeted Hafeez sharing a picture of the Blackcaps leaving Pakistan.

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The security alert from the New Zealand government came minutes before the first ODI match in Rawalpindi. Their decision could be a huge setback for Pakistan cricket board who have struggled to convince Test-playing nations to tour the country in the past.

They have not seen much international cricket action at home since a bus carrying Sri Lankan players was targeted by militants in 2009. 

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) described New Zealand’s decision as “unilateral” and said the tour was canceled despite an assurance from Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“PCB and Govt of Pakistan made foolproof security arrangements for all visiting teams. We have assured the New Zealand cricket board of the same.

"The Prime Minister spoke personally to the Prime Minister of New Zealand and informed her that we have one of the best intelligence systems in the world and that no security threat of any kind exists for the visiting team,” a PCB statement said.

The Kiwis were set to play three ODIs and five T20Is across Rawalpindi and Lahore as part of their tour.