New Zealand keen to visit Pakistan next year, confirms Ramiz Raja

Weeks after cancelling their Pakistan tour due to security issues, New Zealand is willing to reschedule its series against Pakistan, confirmed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja. The development was confirmed by the New Zealand Cricket Board (NZC) as well who stated that discussions are underway between NZC boss David White and Ramiz Raja to play the postponed series before the end of the future programme cycle in 2023. New Zealand had called off their Pakistan tour hours before the first ODI after alerts from security agencies back home.

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"Good news will be announced within a week," he was quoted as saying by Geo News. "The PCB may put forward its terms before the NZC by choosing the month of November in 2022 for the rescheduling of the recently postponed series," said Raja

Meanwhile, New Zealand's decision to call off the tour prompted England to cancel their visit to Pakistan as well. Ramiz revealed that he had written a letter to the ICC chairman informing him about Pakistan’s reservations against ICC's working. Raja said that New Zealand and England’s decision to cancel the Pakistan tours were politically motivated.

“I have written a strongly-worded letter to the International Cricket Council chairman where I mentioned that the ICC has become a political wing of the Western bloc and has been reduced to a mere events management company,” informed Ramiz.

“We have one of the best security systems in place,” he said. “ICC-appointed security experts have acknowledged the high level of security accorded to visiting teams. New Zealand haven’t yet shared the details of the threats it reckons its players were facing which is beyond comprehension. Our case at the ICC is very strong.”

Meanwhile, along with NZC, England Cricket Board (ECB)also expressed their apologies for the developments and promised to visit the country next year.