#OTD in 2021: New Zealand called off Pakistan tour minutes before 1st ODI

Babar Azam and Tom Latham (PC: Twitter)

On this day, a year ago, New Zealand cancelled their limited-overs series against Pakistan ahead of the toss of the 1st ODI at Rawalpindi due to a security threat. 

The series consisted of three ODIs and five T20Is slated to be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore. 

Neither of the teams had left the hotel on the morning of the game, while the crowd was not permitted to enter the stadium as well. This was followed by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) issuing a statement about their withdrawal from the series. 

Furthermore, the Prime Ministers of both countries had a detailed conversation leading up to the cancellation of the series. 

NZC then refrained from providing enough details about the threat and did not disclose the updated travel arrangements for the New Zealand squad as well. 

Here is what NZC CEO David White had said in a statement: 

"I understand this will be a blow for the PCB, who have been wonderful hosts, but player safety is paramount and we believe this is the only responsible option,” said David White, the NZC Chief Executive.

Pakistan Cricket Board, on the other hand, revealed that it was a unilateral decision taken by the NZC to cancel the tour. 

PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja took to Twitter to vent his frustration and warned NZC of their move to take this matter to ICC. The skipper Babar Azam also expressed his disappointment. 

PCB and the government further revealed that foolproof security was given to both teams in the stadium and the hotel. Also, the Kiwi team held three practice sessions in a run-up to the first ODI. 

This was New Zealand's first Tour to Pakistan after 2003, which was resumption of the 2002 series, cancelled due to a bomb explosion in Karachi.

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