PCB chairman Ramiz Raja fumes at NZC decision to quit series, says 'NZ will hear us at ICC'

New Zealand’s decision to pull out of the Pakistan series has left Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja fuming. The Black Caps abandoned the tour after receiving security alerts from New Zealand government and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) security advisors on the ground. Raja was not impressed with New Zealand’s call to quit the tour and called it a unilateral decision, adding that the matter will be taken up before the International Cricket Council (ICC).

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“Crazy day it has been! Feel so sorry for the fans and our players.

“Walking out of the tour by taking a unilateral approach on a security threat is very frustrating. Especially when it’s not shared!! Which world is NZ living in??NZ will hear us at ICC,” Raja tweeted.

Crazy day it has been! Feel so sorry for the fans and our players. Walking out of the tour by taking a unilateral approach on a security threat is very frustrating. Especially when it’s not shared!! Which world is NZ living in??NZ will hear us at ICC.

— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) September 17, 2021

PCB too released a statement and said PM Imran Khan assured foolproof security to the players but New Zealand had made up their mind to quit the series. Notably, it was only a few days back that Martin Guptill posted a video and said he feels safe in Pakistan.

“Earlier today, the New Zealand cricket board informed us that they had been alerted to some security alert and have unilaterally decided to postpone the series. PCB and Govt of Pakistan made fool proof security arrangements for all visiting teams. We have assured the New Zealand cricket board of the same.

Prime Minister Imran Khan spoke personally to the Prime Minister of New Zealand and informed her that we have one of the best Intelligence systems in the world and that no security threat of any kind exists for the visiting team. The security officials with the NZ team have been satisfied with security arrangements made by the Govt of Pakistan throughout their stay here. PCB is willing to continue the scheduled matches. However, cricket lovers in Pakistan and world over will be disappointed by this last-minute withdrawal,” said PCB in a statement.

While several fans and experts have slammed New Zealand for cancelling the tour in the last hour, New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern have backed the decision. "I know how disappointing it will be for everyone that the game hasn’t gone ahead, but we totally support the decision that’s been made. Player safety has to be paramount," Ardern said.

This was New Zealand’s first visit to Pakistan in 18 years and the teams were set to cross swords in three ODIs and five T20Is.