New Zealand Tour of Pakistan has been postponed over security concerns

The NewZeland cricket team on Friday announced the postpone of the tour of Pakistan over “security concerns” hours before the first match was schedule to play Pakistan this evening in the first of three ODI’s at the Rawalpindi cricket stadium.

In a statement, The Pakistan Cricket Board said: NewZealand cricket team informed the the board they have been alerted to “some security alert” and have unilaterally decided to postpone the series.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and  government made foolproof security arrangements for all visiting teams. We have assured the NewZealand Cricket (NZC) of the same.” The PCB said in its statement

The statement added that the Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan also personally spoke to the Prime minister of New Zeland 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.

The security officials with the New Zealand team have been satisfied with security arrangements made by the Pakistan government throughout their stay.” Added in the statement PCB, also said PCD is willing to continue the schedule matches.

“Cricket lovers around the world and in Pakistan will be disappointed by this last minutes withdrawl,” the PCD added.

The NewZeland said in online statement: The backcaps are abandoning their tour of Pakistan following a New Zealand government security alert.

However, following an escalation in the NewZeland 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, said NZC statement

Arrangements are now being made for the team’s departure said in its statement.