Pakistan cricket has taken two major blows in the last 4 days, with both England and New Zealand pulling out of bilateral series in the Asian country. On 17th September, just before the beginning of the first ODI at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, the Black Caps cancelled their tour. Visitors stated that the reason to withdrew from the tour was due to “security concerns”, so PCB chairman Ramiz Raja Reacted and shows frustration.
The England cricket team announced on September 20 that they would cancel their October visit to Pakistan. Both England’s men’s and women’s teams were scheduled to play ODI and T20I series. The ECB, on the other hand, issued a statement stating that the teams will not be visiting Pakistan the following month.
In the middle of the confusion, Pakistan Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry announced in a statement on Tuesday, September 21, that Pakistan will seek legal experts before taking action against the NZC and the ECB. He added that Pakistan will discuss with experts before taking necessary action towards them.
I am severely disappointed in New Zealand and England’s withdrawal: Ramiz Raja
The New Zealand cricketers returned to their home nation on Saturday, 18th September, after the PCB provided a chartered plane for them. The PCB’s chief executive, Wasim Khan too expressed his concern at the turn of affairs in Pakistan cricket.
Previously, Ramiz Raja, the PCB’s chairman, was upset after the Black Caps and Three Lions withdrew from their respective series. He also criticized cricket’s “western bloc” for recent events.
“I am severely disappointed in England’s withdrawal but it was expected because this western bloc gets united unfortunately and tries to back each other. So, you can take any decision on the basis of security threat and perception. There was a sense of anger because first New Zealand got away without sharing information about the threat they were facing,” Raja said.
“Now, this [England] was expected but this is a lesson for us because we go out of our way to accommodate and pamper these sides when they visit. And when we go there, we undergo strict quarantines and we tolerate their admonishments, but there is a lesson in this. That is, that from now on we will only go as far as is in our interest,” he added.
