New Zealand Abandon Cricket Tour Of Pakistan Minutes Before 1st ODI Citing 'Security Concerns'

The New Zealand vs Pakistan 1st ODI on Friday was going to be New Zealand's 1st match on Pakistan soil since 2003.

New Delhi: New Zealand cricket team has decided to abandon their tour of Pakistan citing security threats. The team will depart from Pakistan soon. In the next 12 months, Australia, England and New Zealand again were scheduled to tour Pakistan but Blackcaps abandoning the tour just minutes before the start of 1st ODI following security concerns might have some serious consequences in future tours of Pakistan. The New Zealand vs Pakistan 1st ODI on Friday was going to be New Zealand's 1st match on Pakistan soil since 2003.

Pakistan and New Zealand were slated to play limited-overs series - three ODIs and five T20Is. During the tour, the ODI series was supposed to be played in Rawalpindi and the T20 series at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium.  

"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," NZC said in a statement.

"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," NZC Chief David White said.

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

"We've been across this process throughout and are fully supportive of the decision. The players are in good hands; they're safe -- and everyone's acting in their best interests," he said.