Killed Pakistan cricket: Fury as New Zealand abandon tour

Pakistan and New Zealand, the world's top-ranked ODI team, were due to play 3 one-day internationals in Rawalpindi

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja expressed his dismay Friday at New Zealand's decision to abandon a limited-overs series over security concerns just as the first one-day international was due to start in Rawalpindi.

"Walking out of the tour by taking a unilateral approach on a security threat is very frustrating. Especially when it's not shared!!" tweeted Raja, appointed Monday as the new PCB chairman.

Raja, a former Pakistan captain, indicated the matter would be taken to the International Cricket Council.

Read more: New Zealand abandon tour of Pakistan citing security threat, PCB calls it unilateral

"Which world is NZ living in?? NZ will hear us at ICC."

Pakistan and New Zealand, the world's top-ranked ODI team, were due to play three one-day internationals in Rawalpindi, followed by five Twenty20 matches in Lahore.

The tourists' decision to abandon the series came after "an escalation in the New Zealand government threat levels for Pakistan".

Arrangements were being made for the team to leave the country, New Zealand Cricket said.

The Kiwis previously cut short a tour to Pakistan in 2002 after a bomb blast outside their team hotel in Karachi killed several French naval staff and Pakistanis.

New Zealand returned to Pakistan the following year but had not been back to play there since.

Friday's move was a massive setback to Pakistan, which has been trying to revive tours by foreign sides after home internationals were suspended in the aftermath of a 2009 terror attack on the Sri Lankan side.

The England and Wales Cricket Board said it would decide in the next 48 hours whether to withdraw from a tour planned for next month.

"Extremely disappointed on the abrupt postponement of the series, which could have brought the smiles back for millions of Pakistan cricket fans," current Pakistan captain Babar Azam tweeted.

"I've full trust in the capabilities and credibility of our security agencies. They are our pride and always will be!"

Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said "New Zealand just killed Pakistan cricket", pointing out that the country has safely hosted South Africa, Bangladesh, West Indies, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in recent years.

"We will rise from this. And soon... Not the first time we've been pushed against the wall. Unnecessary and uncalled for decision by Blackcaps," he wrote on social media.

Shoaib also referenced Pakistan's tour of New Zealand at the end of last year "in the worst of Covid circumstances regardless of the crude treatment by NZ authorities on that tour."

Mohammad Amir, who retired from international cricket in 2020 but has hinted at a possible return, suggested New Zealand's withdrawal was an "act (that) will bite you in future for sure".

West Indies' two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain Darren Sammy also voiced his disappointment over the abrupt cancellation of the series.

"Over the last 6 years playing and visiting Pakistan has been one of the most enjoyable experiences. I've always felt safe," said Sammy, who played in the Pakistan Super League with Peshawar Zalmi before taking over as head coach last year.