Twitter Left In Shock As New Zealand Abandon Their Tour Of Pakistan Due To Security Concerns

The cricket world was sent into a shock as soon as New Zealand abandoned their entire tour of Pakistan on Friday minutes before the first ODI was supposed to start in Rawalpindi due to security concerns.

Both the teams didn’t leave their hotel on the morning of the game, and spectators also weren’t allowed to enter the stadium. New Zealand board claimed that they had received news from their government about a security threat in Pakistan and hence decided against taking the field. They have also started preparations to depart their players soon, but refused to reveal any information about that.

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“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 Blackcaps will not continue with the tour. Arrangements are now being made for the team’s departure,” the NZC said in a released statement.

NZC chief executive David White said abandoning the entire tour, which comprised three ODIs and five T20Is, was their only responsible option as the safety of players is paramount for the board.

The PCB, however, said this is a unilateral decision and indicated unhappiness in this step by the visitors taken just ahead of the game.

“Earlier today, the New Zealand cricket board informed us that they had been alerted to some security alert and have unilaterally decided to postpone the series,” the PCB said in a statement of their own.

The hosts asserted that they have made “foolproof security” arrangements for the visiting teams – after New Zealand, England, Australia, and West Indies are also planned to visit Pakistan later in the year. Those tours now also look under the threat of being cancelled or postponed.

This comes in as a major roadblock for the PCB as they have slowly tried to bring international cricket back to Pakistan.

The Twitter universe was sent into a state of surprise, dismay, even mourning as not only the game of cricket was cancelled, but also the future of international cricket in Pakistan.

Here is how netizens reacted to the news of New Zealand abandoning their entire tour of Pakistan:

A wrong precedent has been set & it's not a good omen at all for ? fraternity.
Our security & intelligence agencies r capable to curb & assess any kind of threat .
In past few years, they successfully managed safety & security of international ? events.#<!---->P<!---->a<!---->k<!---->i<!---->s<!---->t<!---->a<!---->n<!---->Z<!---->i<!---->n<!---->d<!---->a<!---->b<!---->a<!---->d

— Haris Rauf (@HarisRauf14) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

The last Test match being called of worked best for #<!---->M<!---->I 3 of their key players Rohit ,SKY and Bumrah joined the squad earlier than expected #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1 #<!---->C<!---->r<!---->i<!---->c<!---->i<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->h<!---->B<!---->a<!---->d<!---->r<!---->i

— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

On a HOAX threat you have called-off the tour despite all assurances!! @<!---->B<!---->L<!---->A<!---->C<!---->K<!---->C<!---->A<!---->P<!---->S do you understand the IMPACT of your decision?

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Gutted for all involved in the #<!---->P<!---->a<!---->k<!---->v<!---->s<!---->N<!---->z series. Was shaping up to be an epic series. ?

— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

A very sad day for the game of cricket! When Pakistan was well on way for the revival of cricket, this unfortunate turn takes place. Pakistan has one of the best security agency in the world and when u get that kind of security, it surely means it’s safe! #<!---->P<!---->A<!---->K<!---->v<!---->N<!---->Z

— Umar Gul (@mdk_gul) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Such a shame for Pakistan Cricket .. These late call offs will damage the game hugely financially .. Hopefully security issues can be resolved to allow cricket to be played again in Pakistan .. !!

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Pakistan is a safe country for any sports…heartbroken Disappointed ? Sad day for Pakistan & Pakistan cricket #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->P<!---->A<!---->K Not a good thing cancelling series at the last moment

— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Feelings for my pakistani friends not a good news for cricket lovers .

I've travelled to many countries.
Pakistani is the safest country for cricket and cricket loving country.#<!---->P<!---->A<!---->K<!---->v<!---->N<!---->Z

— Sherfane Rutherford (@SRutherford_50) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

1/2 New Zealand Cricket would not have made the decision to end their tour of Pakistan lightly- they have shown time and again that they are willing to do their part to promote and play our great game so I don’t think it’s right to be critical of them.

— Jason Gillespie ? (@dizzy259) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

2/2 we are all however disappointed for Pakistan cricket, it’s players and supporters. A wonderful cricketing country that has, for a long time, been denied consistent top level cricket. Hopefully the situation in the country improves quickly! ??

— Jason Gillespie ? (@dizzy259) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Pakistan ?? is Safe & Proud nation. Postponing series is absolutely Sad news for whole Nation.

— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

? #<!---->P<!---->A<!---->K<!---->v<!---->N<!---->Z

— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

It is making me more sad thinking about how upset our fans must be after receiving this news. To the world, I want to repeat our country is safe for cricket.

To our fans, We the Pakistan team promise we will turn these sad feelings into happy ones In Shaa Allah ??
?? Zindabad

— Hassan Ali ?? (@RealHa55an) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Sad news for players and fans. #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->P<!---->A<!---->K ?? ?? h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->8<!---->C<!---->6<!---->U<!---->p<!---->O<!---->M<!---->P<!---->z<!---->1

— Grant Elliott (@grantelliottnz) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Disappointed waking up to the news of the cancellation of the Pakistan Vs New Zealand series because of security issues.Over the last 6 years playing and visiting Pakistan has been one of the most enjoyable experiences. I’ve always felt safe. this is a massive blow to Pakistan ☹️

— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Heartbroken ? for Pakistan Cricket wow ?@<!---->T<!---->h<!---->e<!---->R<!---->e<!---->a<!---->l<!---->P<!---->C<!---->B

— Tino95 (@tinobest) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Crazy day it has been! Feel so sorry for the fans and our players. Walking out of the tour by taking a unilateral approach on a security threat is very frustrating. Especially when it’s not shared!! Which world is NZ living in??NZ will hear us at ICC.

— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

? #<!---->P<!---->a<!---->k<!---->v<!---->s<!---->N<!---->Z

— Sana Mir ثناء میر (@mir_sana05) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

NZ just killed Pakistan cricket ??

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Wish I had words to describe my disappointment. We not only have the best security force in the world but many foreign teams have successfully & peacefully completed their cricket tours in Pakistan. Can feel for the cricket lovers in Pakistan & around the world. #<!---->P<!---->a<!---->k<!---->i<!---->s<!---->t<!---->a<!---->n<!---->Z<!---->i<!---->n<!---->d<!---->a<!---->b<!---->a<!---->d

— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Heartbreaking news…New Zealand could have used another reason.. Security isn't a reason because Pakistan has one of the best Security base in the world #<!---->F<!---->a<!---->k<!---->e<!---->N<!---->e<!---->w<!---->s p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->N<!---->P<!---->7<!---->F<!---->y<!---->G<!---->v<!---->B<!---->v<!---->6

— Junaid khan 83 (@JunaidkhanREAL) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Quite disappointing the way it’s all ended before it even began. Not the best of days for Pak cricket. #<!---->N<!---->Z<!---->v<!---->P<!---->A<!---->K

— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

This is heartbreaking. Pakistanis love cricket so much, we have worked really hard to bring cricket back here. PSL & other teams visiting Pakistan is evidence of our hospitality & security arrangements. We will continue our efforts. #<!---->P<!---->a<!---->k<!---->i<!---->s<!---->t<!---->a<!---->n<!---->Z<!---->i<!---->n<!---->d<!---->a<!---->b<!---->a<!---->d

— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Extremely disappointed on the abrupt postponement of the series, which could have brought the smiles back for millions of Pakistan Cricket Fans. I've full trust in the capabilities and credibility of our security agencies. They are our pride and always will be! Pakistan Zindabad!

— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

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