We Had Several Conversations With New Zealand Government Officials Before Making The Decision: New Zealand Cricket On Pulling Out Of Pakistan Tour

New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White issued an explanation after the New Zealand cricket team withdrew from the Pakistan tour.

New Zealand were supposed to play Pakistan in three ODI matches and five T20 Internationals but on the ODI matchday on September 17, hours before the toss could take place, the Blackcaps pulled out of the entire white-ball series.

This has been a terribly difficult time for the PCB: New Zealand Cricket

New Zealand’s decision left the players and fans disappointed as they were expecting cricket action in the country after a long time. White thanked their counterpart Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for taking care of the New Zealand cricket team.

“We appreciate this has been a terribly difficult time for the PCB and wish to pass on our sincere thanks to chief executive Wasim Khan and his team for their professionalism and care,” White said in an official statement.

There was no way we could stay in Pakistan: New Zealand Cricket

There were talks held between Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Imran assured that his country had the best Intelligence systems in the world and that no security threat would harm the visiting team.

Ardern supported New Zealand Cricket’s decision and said that the safety of the players is paramount.

White mentioned that before cancelling the tour, the board was in constant touch with their government officials and when they were advised about a credible threat, they decided to leave Pakistan.

“What I can say is that we were advised this was a specific and credible threat against the team. We had several conversations with New Zealand government officials before making the decision and it was after informing the PCB of our position that we understand a telephone discussion was conducted between the respective Prime Ministers,” White mentioned.

“Unfortunately, given the advice we’d received, there was no way we could stay in the country.

“Everything changed on Friday. The advice changed, the threat level changed and, as a consequence, we took the only responsible course of action possible,” he added.

According to some reports, the New Zealand cricket team arrived in Dubai on Sunday and will go under a 24-hour quarantine period before most of them depart back home.

Also Read: “New Zealand Will Hear Us At ICC”: PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja Threatens Kiwis For Pulling Out Of Pakistan Tour