- Thursday, April 25, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
PAKISTAN cricket has received dual blows in a matter of few days after two top teams – New Zealand and England – cancelled their tours of the Asian nation and according to the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the “western bloc” seemed to be united on the matter.
In a video message, Ramiz Raja, a former national captain, who reacted strongly after the pullouts by New Zealand and England, said, “I am severely disappointed in England’s withdrawal but it was expected because this western bloc gets united unfortunately and tries to back each other.”
On Monday (20), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) withdrew its men’s and women’s teams from touring Pakistan for limited-overs series scheduled next month, citing increased concerns about travelling to the region. It also spoke about players getting fatigued ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup in the UAE and Oman in October and November. It said in a statement, “We know there are increasing concerns about travelling to the region and believe that going ahead will add further pressure to a playing group who have already coped with a long period of operating in restricted Covid environments.”
ALSO READ: After NZ, England cancel twin tours of Pakistan
Last Friday (17), the Black Caps scrapped their tour of Pakistan just moments before the toss for the first one-day international in Rawalpindi, saying their government had raised a security alert. Even an intervention by Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan did not help in resolving the matter.
Raja, who had slammed the Kiwis over their decision, said, “There was a sense of anger because first New Zealand got away without sharing information about the threat they were facing.
Minutes before start, Black Caps call off white-ball series in Pakistan
“This (England) decision was expected but this is a lesson for us because we go out of our way to accommodate and pamper these sides when they visit,” he added.
Pakistan have toured England twice since the outbreak of the pandemic and went to New Zealand and the West Indies. The PCB also lined up a domestic season with teams like New Zealand, England, the West Indies and Australia. The men in green were supposed to play at least 12 T20s before they went to the World Cup. But now, following the cancellation of two international series, they will go into the mega event with just one completed T20 which was against the West Indies.
Raja said the decisions taken by New Zealand and England could affect the scheduled games against the Caribbeans and Australia as well.
“We have a West Indies series that can also be hit, and Australia who is already reconsidering. This England, Australia and New Zealand are all one block. Who can we complain to?” Raja asked.
The PCB chief, who took over on September 13, said Zimbabwe were willing to play in Pakistan to fill the gap left by both New Zealand and England. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka had offered to send their second-string teams.
However, all these suggested tours could not materialize due to “logistical difficulties,” Raja said.
Pakistan has scheduled its own domestic National T20 Cup in which all the World Cup players are going to participate. Raja said Pakistan has set its target to beat at least three teams. “We had one team in our target, our neighbours (India), now add two more teams, New Zealand and England,” Raja said.
Pakistan will take on arch-rivals India in their opening match at the T20 World Cup on October 24.
