New Delhi: In an international humiliation for Imran Khan govt, New Zealand has called off its tour of Pakistan, following a security alert by former’s intelligence agencies.
The limited-over series between Pakistan and New Zealand was about to begin in Rawalpindi today. The Kiwis had 3 ODIs lined up here, following which they would have moved to Lahore for T20 series.
However, the New Zealand agencies issued a security alert following which it was decided to call off the entire series.
The New Zealand cricket board has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board that they have been given a security alert and have unilaterally decided to postpone the series.
New Zealand’s tour to Pak after 18 years
It was after 18 years that New Zealand team was visiting Pakistan. The last time the Blackcaps visited the nation was in 2002.
And, the sudden pullout of New Zealand from the series has again cast a shadow on the series, that was set to take off and had the cricket fans glued to TV screens.
Red-faced Imran calls New Zealand PM
An embarrassed Pakistani government swung into action and sought to allay apprehensions by trying to convince the New Zealand board but that went in vain.
We have assured the NZ cricket board of the same. The Prime Minister spoke personally to the Prime Minister of New Zealand and informed her that we have one of the best Intelligence systems in the world and that no security threat of any kind exists for the visiting team.
2/4— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 17, 2021
Pak PM Imran Khan also called up the New Zealand counterpart and sought to assure NZ PM that there was no security threat to the visiting team.
New Zealand has decided to call off his series and preparations are being made to team’s departure from the country, accusing of supporting terror elements in Afghanistan.
