Picture Credit: Twitter
The New Zealand cricket team landed in Dubai on Sunday after abandoning their limited-overs tour against Pakistan due to security concerns. The 34-member NZC contingent left Islamabad on Saturday in a charter flight and arrived in Dubai in the early hours on Sunday. The contingent will be under 24-hour self-isolation in a Dubai hotel. Out of the total 34, 24 players will return to their home country in the next few days, as flights and MIQ (Managed Isolation and Quarantine) rooms in New Zealand become available, NZC informed.
The Board also informed that the initial MIQ arrangements for their return are cancelled. The remaining players will stay in UAE for the 2021 T20 World Cup, which is slated to be held in October-November.
New Zealand Cricket Chief thanks PCB for players' safe departure
The Chief on New Zealand Cricket David White stated that he is grateful to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for helping in the safe departure of the players. “We appreciate this has been a terribly difficult time for the PCB and wish to pass on our sincere thanks to chief executive Wasim Khan and his team for their professionalism and care,” White said.
White added that the board had several conversations with the New Zealand Cricket and the decision to abandon the series was made after informing PCB. “We had several conversations with New Zealand government officials before making the decision and it was after informing the PCB of our position that we understand a telephone discussion was conducted between the respective Prime Ministers. Unfortunately, given the advice we’d received, there was no way we could stay in the country,” White concluded.
David White also said that their team was comfortable to tour Pakistan initially after assessing the security situation but everything changed on Friday (match-day) and the threat levels raised.
Both England Men’s and Women’s tour, which is scheduled to be held in October, is now under doubts after New Zealand Cricket abandoned the tour due to security concerns. The England Board will soon take a call on both their team’s tour.