Pakistan to raise NZ tour abandonment at ICC: Ramiz Raja

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja said that he would raise the issue of abandonment of Pakistan’s tour by New Zealand with the International Cricket Council.

Taking to Twitter on Friday, hours after New Zealand pulled out of the tour, Raja said that he felt sorry for fans and players.

“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,” Raja said.

His comments came shortly after New Zealand Cricket Board said that it was abandoning the tour of Pakistan over government security alert.

The side was to play Pakistan this evening in the first of three ODIs in Rawalpindi, before moving to Lahore for a five match T20 series.

However, 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, the board said.

Arrangements are now being made for the team’s departure, it added.

NZC chief executive David White said it was simply not possible to continue with the tour given the advice he was receiving.

“I understand this will be a blow for the PCB, who have been wonderful hosts, but player safety is paramount and we believe this is the only responsible option.”

New Zealand Cricket Players Association chief executive Heath Mills echoed Mr White’s sentiments.

“We’ve been across this process throughout and are fully supportive of the decision,” he said.

“The players are in good hands; they’re safe – and everyone’s acting in their best interests.”

In a press release, PCB has confirmed the cancellation of the tour by New Zealand.