Kane Williamson, the New Zealand Cricket Team captain, terms NZ tour of Pakistan’s cancellation, citing security threats, as a ‘real shame’. Uttering his disappointment at the sudden calling off just before the toss of the opening game, Williamson believes that although cricket in Pakistan is terrific, players’ safety is paramount.
Notably, the Black Caps’ skipper is currently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021), being Sun Risers Hyderabad’s part. He says that amidst his absence from the crew that voyaged Pakistan, he does not have much idea regarding what ‘actually’ happened. He will be looking to the details soon, ‘defining the truth’.
While telling Indian media that it was exciting to see Cricket back in Pakistan, Williamson hopes that it does not shut the doors back once again for international cricket.
“I don’t know the details of yesterday. It was a sudden call, but obviously, a real shame. Cricket in Pakistan is an amazing thing and so well supported. There is so much passion there and I think the guys will be gutted to not have started and playing the whole series. But I am not sure of the details since I am in Dubai for the IPL. I will find out a bit more about it over the next few days,”
“I certainly hope not. You want to be playing the game in all countries. It is an international game and there is so much passion for it around the world, particularly in Pakistan. It was really exciting to see the series go back there and I know our team was looking forward to it. Players’ safety is paramount and when you hear messages going through from the government, it is certainly above the players’ heads,
“They were obviously over there, ready to go to the ground. It is a sudden thing that happened. I certainly hope there is no lasting impact from it because it is a special place for cricket to be and there have been a lot of strides forward to see cricket go back into Pakistan and play there safely. We have seen that happen on a number of occasions, so hopefully, there is plenty more cricket there to come,”
Kane Williamson told to the Indian media
It is pertinent to mention that the two nations were set to play a three-match ODI series alongside a five-match T20I series respectively in Rawalpindi, Gadaffi stadiums in sequence. The last-minute withdrawal seems to have an everlasting impact on Pakistan Cricket and the nation.
Also, see:
Pakistan is safe, Chris Gayle ready to tell the world
