Sports

Pakistan-New Zealand cricket series to begin on schedule, sources clarify

No changes made to NZ's preparation for upcoming Pakistan tour, say sources

By Web Desk

August 20, 2021

New Zealand's tour to Pakistan is not in jeopardy, sources revealed on Friday, adding that the New Zealand cricket board has made no changes to the team's schedule.

Earlier, media reports had claimed that the bilateral series was in jeopardy following the evolving situation in Afghanistan.

Sources within the New Zealand cricket board informed Geo News that no changes have been made to the squad's preparation for the upcoming Pakistan tour.

"The New Zealand cricket team will begin its travel as per schedule," said the source. "The New Zealand squad will leave for its tour to Bangladesh and Pakistan on Monday."

The Black Caps are set to play T20Is against Bangladesh till September 10 and are scheduled to land in Islamabad on September 11.

The Kiwis are scheduled to play three ODIs and five T20Is against Pakistan in Rawalpindi and Lahore respectively.

'Security Reassessment'

New Zealand media reports had earlier stated that the bilateral series were subjected to a security reassessment after some players had expressed security concerns following the Taliban's takeover of Kabul.

The media report had quoted the New Zealand Press Association Chief Heath Mills as saying that whatever is happening in Afghanistan is sad and people, including the NZ players, were asking questions about the security check processes.

The report also suggested that the security consultant, Reg Dickason, would visit Pakistan later this month to review the security situation there.

PCB says NZ Cricket did not communicate any reservations

However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stuck to the stance that the tour has been scheduled and has nothing to do with the regional development.

According to the PCB, longtime independent security consultant Reg Dickason's visit in August was planned long ago and it isn’t related to the change in the political landscape in Afghanistan.

Dickason is a consultant to the England Cricket Board (ECB) too therefore he will give feedback to them as well regarding England’s men and women teams’ tours to Pakistan, scheduled for October, said the PCB’s spokesperson.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail of England reported that ECB would also review the security situation in Pakistan for the autumn white-ball tour for England's men's and women's cricket teams.

Conversely, an ECB spokesperson said that there are always going to be security checks and procedures.