The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) cannot be settled for less now after the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has abruptly opted out of Pakistan’s home series following ‘inappropriate’ and ‘unreliable’ security threats.
It could have been settled for less if they opted out before visiting Pakistan but what makes the situation terrible is the last moment withdrawal from the ‘entire tour’.
The ‘whole’ nation is furious for a legit reason and seems ready for revenge. The PCB prepared to take the matter to the International Cricket Council (ICC), is fumed.
Wasim Khan, the CEO of the PCB, held a press conference on 19th September. He has opened up on the ‘entire’ agenda inciting the nation’s interests that will work in the best favour of Pakistan Cricket and Pakistan itself.
He says that it was not a ‘wise’ decision to pull out instantly. Notably, NZC has also denied telling what sort of threats they got from ‘which’ source. Wasim believes the consequences will affect Pakistan Cricket adversely for a long.
“Abandoning tour by unilateral decision is not a wise move by NewZealand Cricket. This decision will damage Pakistan Cricket as we were looking forward to hosting international teams ahead. This damage will affect Pakistan Cricket negatively for longer span”
Saying that there are no security issues in Pakistan, Wasim’s meaningful words holds the 10-year-old efforts PCB has put in to revive international cricket in Pakistan. Now, the board is set to take the matter to ICC.
“PCB will take up the issue in front of ICC and will bring New Zealand Cricket to the table. PCB believes in dialogue. Making decisions on their own and abandoning tours is an injustice. I will say thoroughly that there is no security lapse or issues in Pakistan.”
Apart from financial downfall, the CEO says that PCB’s credentials will also be negatively affected.
“PCB worked hard in recent past to win the faith of world cricket and resume international cricket in Pakistan. New Zealand has damaged the reputation & hard work of Pakistan. Financial damage is there but the credibility of Pakistan Cricket has been damaged heavily.”
“PCB will take up the issue in front of ICC and will bring New Zealand Cricket on the table. PCB believes in dialogue. Making decisions on their own and abandoning tours is an injustice. I will say thoroughly that there is no security lapse or issues in Pakistan.”
Blown up Wasim announced the decision angrily that Pakistan will now only play the series within their realms but not anywhere else. He kept on repeating that it took years-long efforts to revive cricket in Pakistan.
“PCB has a clear vision for now that Pakistan will play home series in Pakistan only and will not play anywhere else for which we’re in talks with different boards. We’ve worked day and night to bring back international cricket in stadiums of Pakistan.”
He also revealed that the newly elected chairman, Ramiz Raja has also written a letter to NZC showing disappointment over the scenario. He says that this is a political move.
“Chairman PCB Ramiz Raja has written an official letter to NewZealand Cricket for what they’ve done. Pakistan will play #T20WorldCup and is determined to win. We can’t wear black armbands as a protest during WorldCup as this will become a political move.”
He reminded that Pakistan voyaged New Zealand amidst the challenging situation following the Christchurch crisis. Everyone is disappointed to see how NZ has paid back for Pakistan’s favours.
“Pakistan toured New Zealand in tough times and underwent severe quarantine of two weeks. There was an attack on a mosque in NZ, yet we didn’t step back. PCB has shown solidarity with world cricket at tough times, yet decisions not made based on equality.”
In a conference, the CEO revealed that Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are ready to visit Pakistan but the PCB can not host the teams, willing to visit Pakistan for conveying a message of peace, amidst the logistical issues.
“PCB contacted Srilanka and Bangladesh to tour Pakistan, and both the boards accepted to travel, but this wouldn’t have been possible due to logistic issues and less time. Everyone is listening to solidarity with Pakistan Cricket made by the cricket fraternity.
He said that although PCB convinced New Zealand ahead of security threats, NZC believed in the perceptions. Pakistan gave presidential security to the guests.
“NZC told us regarding threat & abandoning tour. PCB tried to convince, but NZC didn’t accept. NZC should’ve shared the report with us so we could remove reservations. We told them you’ve been given the same presidential security which was given to the royal family.”
Consequently, following NZ’s claims, ECB and CA are examining the security conditions in Pakistan to commence the respective tours.
“England Cricket Board is examining the situation, but PCB is hopeful England will tour Pakistan as per schedule because they also toured Bangladesh right after the bomb blasts incident. Pakistan has suffered a severe blow made by New Zealand ۔.”
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