Incoming Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja has said New Zealand “will hear [the PCB] at ICC”, after the Blackcaps abandoned their tour of Pakistan over security concerns.
Raja, who was formally elected as PCB chairman on September 13, echoed the sentiments expressed by a PCB statement and reiterated that this was, in their view, a decision taken unilaterally by New Zealand Cricket (NZC).
“Crazy day it has been!” he tweeted. “Feel so sorry for the fans and our players. Walking out of the tour by taking a unilateral approach on a security threat is very frustrating. Especially when it’s not shared!! Which world is NZ living in?? NZ will hear us at ICC.”
Crazy day it has been! Feel so sorry for the fans and our players. Walking out of the tour by taking a unilateral approach on a security threat is very frustrating. Especially when it’s not shared!! Which world is NZ living in??NZ will hear us at ICC.
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) September 17, 2021
The reaction from Pakistan in general has been one of anger, with several expressing their displeasure at the actions of NZC. Former Pakistan quick Shoaib Akhtar tweeted that New Zealand “just killed Pakistan cricket.”
° This was just an unverified threat, it could have been discussed.
° Prime Minister Imran Khan personally spoke to his NZ counterpart and assured but it was still refused.
° Pakistan has safely hosted South Africa, Bangladesh, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe & PSL.
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) September 17, 2021
The PCB have since put out a composite graphic compiling several tweets from players around the world, including one from Shahid Afridi suggesting the security threat was a “hoax”.
What they are saying! #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/6fSiQF8MqZ
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 17, 2021
The reaction in England, with both national sides due to tour Pakistan in October, has been to question the viability of that visit. An ECB spokesperson said: “We’re aware of New Zealand’s decision to pull out of the Pakistan tour due to a security alert. We are liaising with our security team who are on the ground in Pakistan to fully understand the situation. The ECB board will then decide in the next 24-48 hours whether our planned tour should proceed.”
“The ECB board will then decide in the next 24-48 hours whether our planned tour should proceed.” (2/2)
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) September 17, 2021
