Pakistan tour depends on security situation: New Zealand Cricket chief
Pakistan tour only if security consultant gives go ahead, declares NZC chief
AUCKLAND (Web Desk) – New Zealand Cricket chief (NZC) David White has declared that Kane Williamson & Co’s tour will go ahead only if its security consultants are happy with the arrangements made by the PCB and the government.
It is pertinent to mention here that New Zealand’s tour of Pakistan is set for the September-October window after Babar Azam-led side returns from the West Indies tour.
NZC has hired independent security consultant Rig Dickson for security assurances. “He will be visiting Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi soon to analyze the security preparations. New Zealand’s tour will depend on his security assessment. If he is satisfied with the preparations, only then Kane Williamson and Co will travel to Pakistan.”
“Our intention is to tour Pakistan, and we’re working through that with [the PCB], and the government. All going well, ensuring that we satisfy all the security arrangements which I’m confident we will do, we will be touring Pakistan,” David White said.
The tour will include three ODIs and three T20Is. It will be New Zealand’s first tour of Pakistan in 18 years. The last time New Zealand toured Pakistan was back in 2003 and since then NZC hasn’t opted to tour Pakistan citing security reasons. They have only played in neutral venues or in New Zealand.
Series likely to clash with IPL 2021
The PCB has also requested NZC for two additional T20I matches to prepare for the T20 World Cup. However, as the series is expected to clash with IPL 2021 Phase 2, NZC might not pay heed to the request. A few top New Zealand players such as Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Lockie Fergusen and Kyle Jamieson are expected to be out of the series and will play for their respective IPL franchises.
New Zealand cricket chief has announced their players would be featuring in the second half of IPL 2021 in the UAE. The last few days have seen plenty of speculation over the issue, considering New Zealand’s tour of Pakistan in the September-October window. The BCCI confirmed that the remaining 31 fixtures would begin on the 19th of September.
Only 29 matches could be possible in the first phase as a handful of COVID-19 positive cases forced the BCCI to postpone the competition indefinitely. A handful of cases across Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, and SunRisers Hyderabad prompted the board to take immediate action. Finally, during the AGM in May, the BCCI decided to conduct the league in October.
David White confirms key players’ availability
The doubts about New Zealand players’ participation crept when the PCB requested two additional T20Is apart from the already scheduled three ODIs and three T20Is. But David White has brushed those aside and confirmed the key players’ availability.
One of the franchise officials stated last month that BCCI are conversing with the Australian and England Cricket boards to allow their players for the second phase of IPL 2021. Furthermore, they already had the confirmation of the Kiwi cricketers featuring in the UAE for the cash-rich league.
