Cricket fans are devastated after the England cricket teams also announced to withdraw from their upcoming tour of Pakistan over security concerns.
The arrival of the high-ranking teams had raised hopes over the complete revival of cricket in Pakistan. However, the cancellation of two back-to-back series had raised concerns that doors for international cricket may be closed once again and Pakistan will be back to square one.
Pakistan has maintained it provides the highest level of presidential security to visiting teams. It said that the intelligence agencies are the best in the world and had received no credible information.
NZ, England abandon series
On September 17, the cricket series between Pakistan and New Zealand has been abruptly cancelled over security concerns by the visiting team.
The visiting team raised security concerns just hours before the match and refused to travel to the stadium in Rawalpindi, leading to the cancellation of the cricket series, – a move that shocked fans and officials.
The New Zealand cricket team had arrived in Pakistan for the first time in 18 years to play three ODIs and five Twenty20 Internationals.
However, it said that player safety was paramount and it had no option but to abandon the tour of Pakistan after receiving advice from the New Zealand government of a “specific, credible threat”.
Days after the setback, the England Cricket Board (ECB) also decided to cancel its tour to Pakistan after New Zealand pulled its team out at the last minute ahead of its series opener citing “security” concerns.
PCB’s reaction
Pakistan Cricket Board’s new chairman Ramiz Raja said it was frustrating to see the unilateral approach of New Zealand over security, adding that Pakistan would take the matter to the International Cricket Council.
After England also pulled out days later, Ramiz Raja said Pakistan have been let down by the “Western bloc” and the consecutive pullouts could have a “domino effect” for cricket in the country.
“I am very disappointed by England’s withdrawal but it was expected because this Western bloc gets united unfortunately and tries to back each other,” said Raja.
The former Pakistan captain said there was a sense of anger in his country as New Zealand refused to share the exact threat, which necessitated a step that has far-reaching consequences for the hosts.
Anger and frustration
Cricket fans, analysts and enthusiasts took to social media expressing anger and exasperation, and questioned whether the whole situation could have been handled better. British High Commissioner to Pakistan Christian Turner also expressed disappointment over the decision of the England Cricket Board.
Sports journalist Faizan Lakhani responding to a statement from the England Cricket Board said the decision was ‘distasteful’. Mazhar Arshad wrote that Pakistan has every right to be disappointed and to feel they were used. He said the Pakistani team twice visited England and endangered the health of their players during strict bubbles during the pandemic but England can’t send their team to play just two T20s.
Cricket analyst Sabih Sadiq added that Pakistan visited England twice during COVID-19 and went through all the difficulties and even provided financial support. In return, when the PCB needed them, the England Cricket Board turned its back on them.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge playing cricket with Pakistan players and local kids at PCB’s NCA #RoyalVisitPakistan pic.twitter.com/bCi1EhxOz1
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 17, 2019
Prince William and Kate visit
Many users also shared pictures of the royal couple Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton playing cricket in Pakistan. In October 2019, Britain’s Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, had visited Pakistan on a five-day trip.
The royal couple played cricket with kids at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. They were joined by former and current cricketers including Waqar Younis, Hasan Ali, Azhar Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Sana Mir, Ayesha Zafar and Urooj Mumtaz.
This was first royal tour to the country since 2006 when the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles and Camilla, travelled to Pakistan. They had received a welcome by Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on arrival for the five-day trip.
A user wrote, ‘Pakistan is safe for the future queen and king but not for the cricket team. England cancels Pakistan tour. ‘Another said, “Gentleman’s game ruined by politics. Prince William can safely play cricket in Pakistan but England cannot send their cricket team to Pakistan.”
