New Zealand’s much-awaited tour of Pakistan came to an abrupt end despite the fact that the Kiwi team landed in Pakistan for three ODIs and five T20Is, they were called back without playing a single match. The New Zealand Cricket Board (NZC) was concerned about the security of the and decided to cancel the tour. Notably, this would have been the New Zealand cricket team’s first national assignment on Pakistan soil since 2004.
With the significance of this series being so high, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had made sure that the visitors doesn’t have any issues. However, they faced disappointment as the tour was called off. As per the latest development, PCB has suffered huge financial losses due to the cancellation of the series. In fact, the cricket board has received a hefty amount just to pay the food bills of security officials hired for the Kiwi team.
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As per the reports, the security agencies hired for the Blackcaps cost a lot to PCB and if that was not enough, PCB needs to spend around INRT 27 lakhs just to pay off the food bills of the officers who were in charge of security of the New Zealand team. According to the reports in Anandabazar Patrika, each security personnel served Biriyani twice a day, the cost of which came to approximately ₹27 lakhs. Meanwhile, the tour was called off hours before the first ODI in Rawalpindi.
In a statement after the tour call-off, NZC said, “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.”
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Meanwhile, both Pakistan and New Zealand are currently gearing up for the upcoming T20 World Cup. While the Men in Green have clinched the 2009 edition of the marquee event, the trophy is still elusive for the Kiwis.
