BlackCaps abandon tour to Pakistan following a New Zealand government security alert

[MesonK]

I would rather have deep state level giant strategic victory our state has just scored than some cricket team tour Pakistan.

We won two major trophies in the same era when cricket was not being played in Pakistan, we peaked test rankings and produced best results (% win and draws) in SENA from South Asia. We can do that all again. Misbah gave Pakistan 47% tests win , so can the greatest loi batsman in the world babar ...This moaning by some tiny nations like nz who have zero weight in global strategic arena is deeply satisfying. They want to bring politics into sports so be it.

[happydavy]

There have been attacks in many other countries and the cricket still went on there, but here in Pakistan there haven't been anything while Kiwis have been here, so this whole seems fishy.

i guess no other country, where attacks took place, was ever in bed with talibanis..that association takes the threats to a different level..

[Shafi]

Where are the Taliban supporters now? I hope you lot are happy.

Called it on the first day, that the taliban always spills over to our side.

As usual nonsense!!! Where did Taliban threat to NZ team? NZ has no right to dictate who should run Afghanistan.

[ads101]

Sad news, but I think New Zealand did the right thing by pulling out. I don't think this is PCB's fault here either this time. Enough security was provided this time (perhaps unlike the Sri Lankan incident) nor was it as a result of improper measures (the whole covid fiasco for PSL).

If we have to be totally honest, most countries would far rather still play against Pakistan in UAE. There's still a feeling amongst most countries that there's a chance of an attack when touring Pakistan. Making Pakistan as safe and as free from terrorism is probably something that will take decades. I think that's something that really frustrates Pakistan fans. You can have all the security measures you want, but ultimately so long as there are people around willing to commit terrorist acts, people are going to feel unsafe in that country. And terrorism is still a far bigger occurrence/risk in Pakistan than the other cricketing countries by some difference.

[RedwoodOriginal]

Pakistan toured NZ after the Christchurch incident, kept their cool at the blatantly disrespectful behavior of NZ authorities when certain players contracted COVID and did not even get enough practice.

And this is how they behave when they tour our country.

Utterly shameful behavior from the NZ government.

[The_KING]

This is why it’s so important to have good international reputation. Pakistan doesn’t have good reputation as a country and when you support Taliban, that is what happens. This security threat is all **. It’s all politics.

We have gone all the way to the dark days of 2009. I doubt even Zimbabwe will come now. We are back to playing on the slow and dead UAE pitches. Sad times.

[Snatch]

This is shocking, shameless stuff from the NZ govt. I refuse to believe that their intel was better than the intel on the ground of our security agencies. The sheer breath and comprehensiveness of the security arrangements itself was astonishing. As someone who lives in Pindi I have seen first-hand how comprehensive they are. A journalist covering the series said the arrangements were even comprehensive than he had seen in recent times.

The NZ govt. should be ashamed of themselves. They have not just cancelled an entire tour on bad intel but caused long-standing damage to Pakistan cricket and everything it has done in the last few years to bring cricket back.

Clearly you're upset & emotional, but you're totally speculating that it was bad intel. None of us know for sure at the moment, so quit acting like you do just because you come from Pindi.

[Major]

As usual nonsense!!! Where did Taliban threat to NZ team? NZ has no right to dictate who should run Afghanistan.

The only terrorist group operating are the TTP that gets backing by the Taliban govt of Afghanistan.

[PakLFC]

That's what you get for opening your border for Afghan refugees and vouching for the Taliban.

In case it missed you no one was touring Pak even before the recent Taliban takeover. The tour would still have been cancelled if the American's were there and Ghani the Afghan PM.

[Greenstorm]

problem is majority of you dont even understand the political structure.

You guys think that PCB is to provide security arragnement

Security is provided by interior minister. Sheikh Rasheed is the minister of interior. If something does come up, he is to be blamed.

Also our agencies are not on top of the govt, our agencies come under the govt.

What do you mean by 'you guys' ? Talk to me when you quote me.

I know who handles security arrangements. You said 'if' something comes up but there has nothing come up so far regarding security lapse from our side, yet you are quick to blame Rasheed. I can understand your glee atm but please don't waste my time with such silly posts.

[Runner Up]

NZ always does that it's not the first time. Why come to Pakistan in first place? Terrorist attack happened in NZ in presence of BD players yet teams toured. Hypocrites

[sweep_shot]

So, what has changed suddenly in 24 hours?

NZ board should be fined for wasting time and resources.

[Dr_Bassim]

Attacks happen all over the world.

You deal with them and try to keep playing cricket.

When it comes to Pakistan tours, teams dont even wait for any incident and run away.

Different strokes for different folks.

[winchester]

I would recommend you all to ho watch Shekar Gupta's interview with a Adrian Levy on the spy wars between RAW and ISI.

Adrian Levy pointed out that of the biggest wins of RAW in the 2000s was convincing the Americans that the Colin Powell was in danger when he visits Pakistan.

The CIA came hard on the Pakistani authorities who were clueless and had their heads spinning

[Titan24]

Question would obviously remain what exactly changed only few hours before the match? As all the events in the region took place before NZ team actually decided to tour. Intelligence agencies get numerous informations but, they before any action they first investigate and verify the source and nature.

Lets see what was so credible intel that NZ agencies got, as this is surely an extreme reaction. Waiting for the last minute means they have wasted a lot of time and resources.

[Maher96]

The PCB's insistence that foolproof security was provided did translate into a significantly heavier security presence on approach to the stadium than has perhaps been in evidence for any series in Pakistan since cricket trickled back into Pakistan. Roadblocks had been set up miles from the stadium several hours ahead of time, and security searches extensive.

The NZ squad had landed in Islamabad on September 11th and had since held three training sessions in the run-up to the first ODI. Both the teams were staying in a hotel which, with all security protocols in place, was about 15 minutes drive away.

*From Cricinfo*

Clearly extra measures are in place. I can't see how the NZ govt would have better intel than the Pak security forces and our intelligence agencies

Especially since our intelligence agencies is blamed for them anyway.

What a farce. First West Indies series wash’s out now this.


The boys have had hardly any decent cricket. Even the England series showed how rusty the team still is.

[maint12345]

The last minute timing is very bad for global optics. Cancelling the tour before reaching Pakistan would not have created even a small wave.
But look at it dispassionately. Suppose the intel is right and the new Zealand team had become the target of a attack. It would have put Pakistan domestic cricket in the deep freeze for 20 years.
Security for the Pakistani team should be tightened as they were also restricted to their rooms today.

[Cpt. Rishwat]

It's a political decision, nothing to do with terror. It will actually lead to a rise in more fundamentalism in Pakistan as cricket is seen as a distraction from religion by the extremists. Without sport or entertainment, you could easily see more Pakistanis getting frustrated and going down the militant route.

[PakLFC]

This is why it’s so important to have good international reputation. Pakistan doesn’t have good reputation as a country and when you support Taliban, that is what happens. This security threat is all **. It’s all politics.

We have gone all the way to the dark days of 2009. I doubt even Zimbabwe will come now. We are back to playing on the slow and dead UAE pitches. Sad times.

So Pak should do right by the American's and Indian's allowing them to attack us from there? That is the thing that the Afghan Taliban who don't allow attacks on Pak are hated by the whole world. Those like Ghani who were loved by our enemies attack Pak from across the border. We can't allow the Indian's to attack Pak from Afghanistan just for the sake of playing Cricket!

[Zaz]

Any news what this "credible terror threat" was?

This news if correct should be out in the open considering the damage it has caused to pakistan cricket

[PakLFC]

Attacks happen all over the world.

You deal with them and try to keep playing cricket.

When it comes to Pakistan tours, teams dont even wait for any incident and run away.

Different strokes for different folks.

What you on about? Other then the Sri Lankan tour of Pak Cricket matches are not attacked. No other Cricketing nation neighbours a war zone other then Pak.

[Major]

Attacks happen all over the world.

You deal with them and try to keep playing cricket.

When it comes to Pakistan tours, teams dont even wait for any incident and run away.

Different strokes for different folks.

nope

There is law and order in other countries. Pakistan has no law and order. You can do a terrorist attack and run away here.

[Titan24]

If they have some such a credible information surely they should share it with Pakistani agencies as surely they dont want something happen in Pakistan as well now? Would they?

[OMB]

Pakistan ���� is Safe & Proud nation. Postponing series is absolutely Sad news for whole Nation.

— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) September 17, 2021

Extremely disappointed on the abrupt postponement of the series, which could have brought the smiles back for millions of Pakistan Cricket Fans. I've full trust in the capabilities and credibility of our security agencies. They are our pride and always will be! Pakistan Zindabad!

— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) September 17, 2021

[angrypathan]

This hurts.

[Shafi]

The only terrorist group operating are the TTP that gets backing by the Taliban govt of Afghanistan.

What America did in Afghanistan is worse than anything.

[angrypathan]

Pakistan ���� is Safe & Proud nation. Postponing series is absolutely Sad news for whole Nation.

— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) September 17, 2021

Extremely disappointed on the abrupt postponement of the series, which could have brought the smiles back for millions of Pakistan Cricket Fans. I've full trust in the capabilities and credibility of our security agencies. They are our pride and always will be! Pakistan Zindabad!

— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) September 17, 2021

The PCB statement was enough. These jingoistic tweets from players are unnecessary, even if I do agree with them

[Greenstorm]

I went to Pindi a few days back and all the roads and metro stations around the stadium were closed. I think NZC team was being provided state level security.

NZ government should provide credible evidence for such a move. Otherwise (if all was fine from our side), IK won't take lightly to this.

[Major]

What America did in Afghanistan is worse than anything.

while TTP killed aps kids and meanwhile the Pakistani govt wants to negotiate with them

[SangasCoverDrive]

What America did in Afghanistan is worse than anything.

Keep on believing the same thing and face international isolation

[Titan24]

Just watched on news British High commissioner has said we dont have any such intel which NZ agencies are talking about.

[Dr_Bassim]

What you on about? Other then the Sri Lankan tour of Pak Cricket matches are not attacked. No other Cricketing nation neighbours a war zone other then Pak.

That was 15 years ago.

You dont chose your neighbors.

You cant keep a grudge for 15 years when Musharraf was in power to time when 2 leaders have changed.

Its different now.

[Pakhs]

The PCB statement was enough. These jingoistic tweets from players are unnecessary, even if I do agree with them

They are allowed to speak their mind. They are adults.

[Dr_Bassim]

nope

There is law and order in other countries. Pakistan has no law and order. You can do a terrorist attack and run away here.

You can do terrorist attack in any country and DIE.

Want to me to start listing the number of terror attacks on European and American soils?

[Cric_lover4487]

So Pak should do right by the American's and Indian's allowing them to attack us from there? That is the thing that the Afghan Taliban who don't allow attacks on Pak are hated by the whole world. Those like Ghani who were loved by our enemies attack Pak from across the border. We can't allow the Indian's to attack Pak from Afghanistan just for the sake of playing Cricket!

Can we please stick to cricket on this forum.

[WhenSultansBowled]

Pakistan toured NZ after the Christchurch incident, kept their cool at the blatantly disrespectful behavior of NZ authorities when certain players contracted COVID and did not even get enough practice.

And this is how they behave when they tour our country.

Utterly shameful behavior from the NZ government.

Yep. NZ decide to ignore all that!

[Aman]

I went to Pindi a few days back and all the roads and metro stations around the stadium were closed. I think NZC team was being provided state level security.

NZ government should provide credible evidence for such a move. Otherwise (if all was fine from our side), IK won't take lightly to this.

They will, it will come out in the coming days. Our government is open about these things.

[Billa86]

It would be interesting to see how ECB react to this situation. Sometimes I feel PCB is too soft or a pushover and needs to take a stand.

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Can't believe some Pakistanis on social media are actually gloating and using this as an opportunity to bash the government.

When Pakistan was under stress due to many events in the past such as terrorist attacks or US sanctions, the entire nation stood as one.

There is a time and a place to gloat.

But your country just lost so much today and you use it as fodder to feed your hate? shame.

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Go run over to NZ again to play series with them.

[zn426]

We deserve this humiliation.

Thank you PTI government. Thank you to the most incompetent government in Pakistan history.

There is no coming back after this humiliation. We are back to square one.

No Pakistan does not. The team was not attacked, all security measures were in place, and despite having been in PK a week nothing had happened. This is politics and enormously bad form by NZ.

[RedwoodOriginal]

Clearly you're upset & emotional, but you're totally speculating that it was bad intel. None of us know for sure at the moment, so quit acting like you do just because you come from Pindi.

I don't care for your arrogant tone. If you want to reply, learn to talk with some respect or don't bother replying at all.

Like everyone else I am entitled to my opinion. And I believe that NZ cancelled this tour on bad intel.

[Snatch]

Here's the press release again.... it also came from NZC security advisors from the ground...

“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,”

[PakLFC]

That was 15 years ago.

You dont chose your neighbors.

You cant keep a grudge for 15 years when Musharraf was in power to time when 2 leaders have changed.

Its different now.

Hardly anyone has toured Pak since those 15 years. Afghanistan is still a warzone like it was then, nothing has changed.

[PakLFC]

Can we please stick to cricket on this forum.

This is Cricket related.We are talking about why this tour has been cancelled on this thread.

[Shafi]

while TTP killed aps kids and meanwhile the Pakistani govt wants to negotiate with them

So you believe America run media as gospel truth.

[OMB]

Cricket-New Zealand's Ardern says safety paramount as team pull out of Pakistan tour

WELLINGTON, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Friday that she totally supported New Zealand Cricket's decision to pull out of its Pakistan tour as the safety of the players was paramount.

"When I spoke with the Prime Minister of Pakistan I conveyed our thanks for taking care of the New Zealand Cricket team," Ardern said in a statement sent to Reuters.

"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."

https://news.trust.org/item/20210917103956-0xlhb/

[Bilal Ahmad15]

Heartbreaking. A huge stab in teh back for Pakistan Cricket. Let's see what this New Zealand 'Intelligence' found out to be threatening after the NZ team were doing fine for a week at least in the hotels etc., and where was this intelligence when the 2019 Christchurch attack happened?

[Greenstorm]

Interior minister will hold press conference at 5:30. That will clear a few things.

[Advaith]

Let's not blame NZ here. If their government advised them to leave then it's in their best interest to do so.

To blame NZ for this is rather stupid tbh.

Who is NZ ? 11 players ??

[Major]

You can do terrorist attack in any country and DIE.

Want to me to start listing the number of terror attacks on European and American soils?

no one is denying that terrorist attacks can happen anywhere.

The issue is regarding law and order and justice.

If there is a terrorist attack in US or Europe. Action gets taken situations are improved.

In places like Pakistan and afghanistan, the attackers never face justice. You can kill people and run off and than we have poor policies where we start doing negotiations with the terrorist groups.

Pakistan govt is trying to negotiate with TTP that they will drop charges against them if they act peaceful

[Snatch]

I don't care for your arrogant tone. If you want to reply, learn to talk with some respect or don't bother replying at all.

Like everyone else I am entitled to my opinion. And I believe that NZ cancelled this tour on bad intel.

There's absolutely no reason to be childish about it Redwood, you're better than that. Once again, I understand you're emotional, but you're not thinking this through logically or rationally & worse you're asserting facts without evidence.

[MK7Z]

The rest of the world gets to practice at the venue of the t20 world cup via IPL while Pakistans only chance of match practice gone.

Really feel for Pakistan and our fans and I feel an explanation as soon as possible is required. As Pakistan public is also affected by this threat.

[Maliq_Mudasir]

NZ has hurt Pakistan more than Attack in 2009.

This will take time to heal.

[Aman]

Heartbreaking. A huge stab in teh back for Pakistan Cricket. Let's see what this New Zealand 'Intelligence' found out to be threatening after the NZ team were doing fine for a week at least in the hotels etc., and where was this intelligence when the 2019 Christchurch attack happened?

If we're going to debate on intelligence slip ups, you're not going to win this one.

[Deewana]

ALREADY DEAD.
ONLY INDIA WILL PLAY IT in 10 years time

[Greenstorm]

They will, it will come out in the coming days. Our government is open about these things.

I doubt it. If there was a genuine threat, our authorities had a far better chance of knowing it than some Kiwi in Pindi stadium or Wellington.

Today's press conference will clear a lot of things.

[Titan24]

PMs of both country had a discussion as well, when PM himself gives assurance then then on face value this decision is more likely something political rather than based upon any credible intel.

[Saurav]

So matches are cancelled or forfeited?

[Technics 1210]

What you on about? Other then the Sri Lankan tour of Pak Cricket matches are not attacked. No other Cricketing nation neighbours a war zone other then Pak.

Wrong. Teams were touring Sri lanka during their civil war.

[Bahnz]

If i remember correctly this was the same country where Bangaldesh cricketers narrowly escaped a mosque attack and still that tour was continued if i remember correctly and now these cowards cry about security threats. Stupid people!

No it wasn’t, the remaining games on that tour were immediately canceled and Bangladesh left the country.

[amax]

one thing we got to know is that NZ has better intelligence agency than even ISI.

[OMB]

Such a shame for Pakistan Cricket .. These late call offs will damage the game hugely financially .. Hopefully security issues can be resolved to allow cricket to be played again in Pakistan .. !!

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) September 17, 2021

[moghul]

All it takes is a phone call or an email from a unknown person to create the threat.

In USA it also had happens , schools, shopping malls and other public places are sometimes evacuated after receiving a call regarding a bomb paced there and it later turns out to be a false threat but police has to take every action . Wondering similar thing happened , someone from across the border , or from within Pakistan , called or emailed NZL team . You don;t just cancel the tour for that kind of false threat, you ask to re-evaluate the security arrangements .

[maint12345]

T20 is a lottery. Practice is useless.

[PakLFC]

Wrong. Teams were touring Sri lanka during their civil war.

NATO and America did not send it's troops to the Sri Lankan civil war. Here NZ did send troops to Afghanistan hence they would righty be afraid or revenge attacks.

[Snatch]

Sad news, but I think New Zealand did the right thing by pulling out. I don't think this is PCB's fault here either this time. Enough security was provided this time (perhaps unlike the Sri Lankan incident) nor was it as a result of improper measures (the whole covid fiasco for PSL).

If we have to be totally honest, most countries would far rather still play against Pakistan in UAE. There's still a feeling amongst most countries that there's a chance of an attack when touring Pakistan. Making Pakistan as safe and as free from terrorism is probably something that will take decades. I think that's something that really frustrates Pakistan fans. You can have all the security measures you want, but ultimately so long as there are people around willing to commit terrorist acts, people are going to feel unsafe in that country. And terrorism is still a far bigger occurrence/risk in Pakistan than the other cricketing countries by some difference.

One of the few non-hysterical, well thought-out posts. Well said. Cricket is just a game at the end of the day.

[jiduguravindra]

All it takes is a phone call or an email from a unknown person to create the threat.

In USA it also had happens , schools, shopping malls and other public places are sometimes evacuated after receiving a call regarding a bomb paced there and it later turns out to be a false threat but police has to take every action . Wondering similar thing happened , someone from across the border , or from within Pakistan , called or emailed NZL team . You don;t just cancel the tour for that kind of false threat, you ask to re-evaluate the security arrangements .

Maybe they have a received threat at last min, not enough time for re evaluation. They can't take any threat as false unless they are absolutely sure of it.

[Snatch]

They may still be able to make a tour out of this in the UAE

[cric_4life]

Not unless you're a paranoid conspiracy theorist.

May be you need to come back to real world. Ever heard of back door channels.

[unemployedgm]

Oddly, New Zealand has intelligence that they are using to protect their own players. Yet, they are not sharing that same intelligence with Pakistan so they can do the same with our players and general public.

[unemployedgm]

Some Indian reports claiming NZ players received death threats by unknown people.

Indian Reporting. Sounds like a disqualified.

[Snatch]

https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/n...ttack-pakistan

Former Taliban commander Ehsanullah Ehsan says the IS set-up in Pakistan is preparing for an attack on New Zealand players.


New Delhi: New Zealand’s cricket tour of Pakistan, slated for next month, has come under terror threat with an imminent possibility of the touring cricketers being attacked by one of the many terror groups active in the volatile region.

This tour, in which New Zealand will be playing three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and five Twenty-20 matches, is scheduled to be held from 17 September to 3 October, during which the ODIs will be played in Rawalpindi, while the shorter version of the game will be played in Lahore.

The match schedule was announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on 5 August. The PCB thanked New Zealand Cricket (NZC) for agreeing to play two additional T-20 matches. The New Zealand team will be traveling to Pakistan after nearly 18 years; the last time they had gone there was in 2003.

Former Taliban commander Ehsanullah Ehsan, who was closely associated with one of the factions of Taliban before agreeing to surrender to the Pakistan army in 2017 and then escaping from their “in-home” custody in January 2020, said that the Islamic State (IS) set-up in Pakistan was engaged in preparing for the attack on New Zealand players. It is pertinent to mention that the cadre comprising these Pakistan-based terror groups move from one organization to the other and someone who is today allied to the IS might tomorrow join the Jaish-e-Mohammed or Lashkar-e-Tayyaba.

In March 2009, the cavalcade carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked by a local terror group comprising 12 gunmen near the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore and this had resulted in the death of six policemen and two civilians, apart from causing injuries to six Sri Lankan cricketers. The daring morning attack, which went on for more than 10 minutes in the heart of Lahore, ended with the attackers escaping on motorcycles.

For more than 10 years, no international team toured Pakistan after the attack. It was only in December 2019 that Sri Lanka agreed to play there. The Sunday Guardian reached out to both the International Cricket Council (ICC) and NZC for a response on these developments. In its response, Richard Boock, manager, public affairs, New Zealand Cricket, told The Sunday Guardian that on the matter of security, the body goes by the advice it receives from an independent team of consultants. “What I can say is that we commission an independent team of consultants to undertake pre-departure and on-going security assessments ahead of every overseas tour—and Pakistan is no exception. The NZC is confident in the quality of the advice it receives from this source,” Boock said. No response was received from the ICC.

[Titan24]

They may still be able to make a tour out of this in the UAE

Why would Pak waste extra money on UAE after this debacle from NZ?

[sam_ahm]

Why should PCB stress out unless something concrete comes out of this or NZL give more details and basis for their claims.

Let's see, let the details come out, too early to say that Pakistan are back to 2009.

[unemployedgm]

Few days back, @Junaids wrote that the reemergence of Taliban will ensure that the big teams do not tour Pakistan.

He was 100% correct. Our ambitions of hosting the major sides are done and dusted.

I would suggest Bangladesh or Sri Lanka as an alternative venue to UAE. They have better pitches.

There was a World Cup held in Pakistan whilst the Taliban was in power.

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Wrong. Teams were touring Sri lanka during their civil war.

Teams were touring Britain and India following terror attacks post 9/11.

This is all part of a global politics following the west's defeat in Afghanistan, not that much to do with cricket or security.

[Snatch]

Why would Pak waste extra money on UAE after this debacle from NZ?

They may wish to play cricket.

[SARJ_BD]

I think this is the time for the people of Pakistan to unite, and stop bashing it's own people.

Pakistan cricket will not collapse if they do not tour NZ or any other nation that refuses to tour Pakistan, without proper evidence.

Stand up for yourselves and have faith in the Almighty.

[JibranAnsari]

People are bashing pakistan and pakistan government without knowing what the actual security threat was. Pakistan had provided kiwis with presidential security , their govt got some alert from somewhere which we are unaware of yet and still some of us find this enough to criticize the government.