England tour of Pakistan in doubt after New Zealand's withdrawal

In a massive setback to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), New Zealand pulled out of the limited-overs series due to security concerns. Over the years, teams have refrained from travelling to Pakistan due to security reasons. Pakistan lost their credibility as a safe country to tour after the deadly attack on the Sri Lanka team in 2009. However, of late, the perception regarding touring Pakistan changed after teams like South Africa, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe toured the country.

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The New Zealand series was a big step forward but with Kiwis pulling out, Pakistan has been pushed back again. The Men in Green are set to host England in October, ahead of the World Cup and the recent development has put that series in jeopardy.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) released a statement and said they are pulling out of the series after receiving advice from the NZC security advisors on the ground. Reg Dickason, managing director at ESI Risk and a security consultant who works for NZC played a pivotal role in New Zealand pulling out of the series. Dickason is associated with England Cricket Board (ECB) as well which raises doubts about the England tour of Pakistan. England are scheduled to play two T20Is in Pakistan, while the women’s team will play two T20Is and three ODIs.

A statement from NZC read: "The BLACKCAPS are abandoning their tour of Pakistan following a New Zealand government security alert. "The side was to play Pakistan this evening in the first of three ODIs in Rawalpindi, before moving to Lahore for a five match T20 series.

"However, following an escalation in the New Zealand Government threat levels for Pakistan, and advice from NZC security advisors on the ground, it has been decided the BLACKCAPS will not continue with the tour. Arrangements are now being made for the team’s departure."