Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan spoke with Jacinda Ardern, PCB willing to continue with the series

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday spoke personally to the Prime Minister of New Zealand after the visitors refused to travel to the stadium in Rawalpindi where they were due to play the first one-day international, citing security concerns.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that New Zealand cricket officials had informed them that they were unilaterally suspending all their scheduled One Day International series in Pakistan after receiving a security alert.

“Earlier today, New Zealand Cricket informed us they had been alerted to some security alert and have unilaterally decided to postpone the series,” said Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in a statement.

“Pakistan Cricket Board and Pakistan Government made foolproof security arrangements for all visiting teams. We have assured the New Zealand Cricket of the same.

The Pakistan 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,” PCB added.

The series was scheduled to begin on Friday.

“The security officials with the New Zealand team have been satisfied with security arrangements made by the Pakistan Government throughout their stay here.”

“PCB is willing to continue the scheduled matches. However, cricket lovers in Pakistan and around the world will be disappointed by this last minute withdrawal.”

New Zealand is visiting Pakistan for the first time in 18 years to play three one-day internationals and five Twenty20 matches in Rawalpindi and Lahore.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive David White said in a statement that it was simply not possible to continue with the tour given the advice he was receiving.

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