AUCKLAND: Tom Latham, New Zealand stand-in captain for the cancelled Pakistan series, admitted the team’s decision to pull out of the tour citing security concerns was “very disappointing”.
Latham, who is currently in Dubai, was speaking to New Zealand’s in-house media channel, and detailed the build-up to the fateful decision to call off the tour minutes before the start of the first ODI in Rawalpindi.
“The abrupt end to the tour was naturally disappointing”, he said, noting that Pakistan cricket fans were left disappointed after waiting for international cricket to resume in the country after a long time.
He also lavished praise on Pakistani authorities and security forces for taking care of the visiting squad. “While we were there after the decision, the Pakistan authorities were brilliant. They kept us safe at the hotel and we certainly need to thank them,” he added.
Latham also spoke of everyone’s relief at leaving Pakistan safely and getting to Dubai, and said the players were looking forward to getting home. “The last 24 hours there were quite tense but now we are in high spirits and waiting to go home,” he added.
Latham said he and the rest of the squad were excited to be part of the team that was touring Pakistan after 18 years. He recalled how excited and passionate Pakistan skipper Babar Azam was a day before the series was abandoned. “Babar was very happy that international cricket was resuming in Pakistan, and for us New Zealand squad to be there too,” he said.
The Black Caps’ skipper said everyone was astonished last week on Friday when the match was delayed at first. He said for the New Zealand Cricket Association and others, players’ safety was paramount.
New Zealand’s decision to pull out of the tour has seen Pakistan’s home season, busier than it has been in over a decade, unravel quickly. The England and Wales Cricket Board announced days later their men’s and women’s sides would not tour as scheduled in October either, citing general player wellbeing and “increasing concerns about travelling to the region”, without citing a specific security threat.
