ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities on Friday smelled a ‘well-conceived conspiracy’ behind the cancellation of New Zealand’s cricket series in Pakistan but the officials stopped short of naming the country who conspired to get the trip cancelled.
Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed told a press conference here that there was a ‘conspiracy’ behind the cancellation of New Zealand tour to Pakistan — the team’s first in 18 years. However, he did not divulge further details.
An official source, however, said that there was ‘no substantial evidence’ about any threat shared with Pakistan while the New Zealand team had taken a ‘unilateral decision’ to cancel their trip which suggested that there may be some ‘political reasons’ behind the cancellation of the trip.
“It looks to be a well-conceived plan aimed at political vendetta. There was no terrorist threat and neither any evidence was shared with Pakistan,” the official source said.
Asked what could be the possible reason for the cancellation, the official said that the enemy would be hatching a conspiracy to spoil Pakistan’s achieving peace in the region.
Meanwhile, Rasheed also stopped short of sharing the name of the country or agency involved in the conspiracy but hastened to add that the tour cancellation ‘an attempt to damage Pakistan’s efforts for peace in the region’.
“The [New Zealand] team’s security in-charge spoke to our officials in the morning and informed them of a threat. When the officials asked for further details, the New Zealand security in-charge did not have any information to share with us,” he added.
The minister said that the country had deployed commandos from Pakistan Army’s Special Services Group (SSG), soldiers and 4,000 policemen for the matches in Rawalpindi.
“We also tried to convince them to play the match without spectators. But they did not agree to it,” he said.
Rasheed said that the government’s team also reached out to Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently in Dushanbe to participate in the 20th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council of Heads of State (SCO-CHS) Summit and requested him to intervene.
“The PM also called New Zealand’s Prime Minister [Jacinda Ardern] and assured [her] of [providing] complete security to the Kiwis. The New Zealand prime minister said there was no issue of a threat,” said the interior minister, adding that the New Zealand Prime Minister said her government had ‘received intelligence’ that the team could be attacked when it steps out to go to the stadium.
“It is their decision. We had deployed heavy security for the New Zealand team. Pakistan is a peace promoter in the world. And this tour was cancelled through a conspiracy. It is their (NZ’s) problem and what they decide,” asserted the minister.
The minister said that the National Crisis Management Cell had also tried to convince the Black Caps not to call off their tour but they did not agree.
The minister noted that New Zealand’s security team had visited Pakistan four months ago and the tour itself had been scheduled months before the Aug 31 deadline for withdrawal of international forces from neighbouring Afghanistan.
He said that none of our intelligence agencies, which are among the best in the world, have any information about a threat.
“Pakistan is playing a major role in the region and the enemy does not want us to prosper. Indian media has been defaming Pakistan,” the interior minister said, adding that Indian designs would be foiled.
“We have sacrificed before and peace will prevail here at all costs,” he emphasised.
Talking about the upcoming tour by the England team, the interior minister said that the English team would make its own decision.
“My ministry has [done] all arrangements. In our country, there is no security issue for cricket,” the minister concluded.
CRICKETERS BLAST NEW ZEALAND FOR ‘ABRUPT POSTPONEMENT’ OF TOUR:
Top Pakistani cricketers blasted New Zealand cricket board for its ‘unilateral decision’ to call off Pakistan tour at the last minute, citing security reasons has drawn massive criticism from cricket fraternity in the country.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja expressed his disappointment at the New Zealand decision.
“Crazy day it has been! Feel so sorry for the fans and our players,” Ramiz said on his twitter handle moments after the series was abandoned by the Black Caps.
“Walking out of the tour by taking a unilateral approach on a security threat is very frustrating. Especially when it is not shared! Which world is NZ living in? NZ will hear us at ICC,” he added.
Former pacer Shoaib Akhtar lambasted the New Zealand cricket authorities for pulling out of the series unilaterally, saying Pakistan’s image had been hurt before the whole world.
“We stand firm with our government, the PCB, our army and security agencies,” he said.
Shoaib said that it was unfortunate for PCB Chief Ramiz Raja, who took over the reins of the board a few days ago. “You have to understand that Pakistan’s image has been damaged. I am not concerned about Pakistan cricket at the moment, I care for the country’s image,” he said.
Former Pakistani fast bowler Sikander Bakht also lashed out at the New Zealand authorities, saying that their security alert was indeed an excuse to abandon the tour.
“They practiced here for five days. Not a single stone was hurled at them. Withdrawing at the last minute is very disappointing,” he said.
He said that Pakistan had facilitated countries around the world by playing Test matches in difficult conditions, in England and elsewhere.
“We went the extra mile for them, we played Test matches for them. And they are the ones who hit us. I was saying at the time that they will not come to Pakistan and the same has happened now. For God’s sake, do not help them [New Zealand] again,” he said.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam took to twitter to express his frustration over the New Zealand’s decision to withdraw from the series.
“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 remarked.
Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi said that he was lost for words after the news of the postponement broke out.
“Wish I had words to describe my disappointment. We not only have the best security forces in the world but many foreign teams have successfully and peacefully completed their cricket tours in Pakistan. Can feel for the cricket lovers in Pakistan & around the world,” he said.
All-rounder Mohammad Hafeez said that the nation was proud that Pakistan was a safe country.
“Postponing series is absolutely sad news for [the] whole nation,” he remarked.
Vice-captain Shadab Khan said successful holding of Pakistan Super League and other teams’ visits to Pakistan was a proof that the county’s hospitality was matchless and its security arrangements were flawless.
“This is heartbreaking. Pakistanis love cricket so much, we have worked really hard to bring cricket back here,” he said. Batsman Shan Masood feared that New Zealand’s decision would run counter Pakistan’s efforts to get international cricket back in the country.
“Pakistan has made monumental efforts to get international cricket back on track. We’ve lost a lot with no international cricket for 6 years in the past and today might set us back again. The pulling out and the abrupt timing of the decision is extremely disappointing,” he added.
Fast bowler Junaid Khan termed the decision a “heartbreaking news”. He said New Zealand should have used another reason for cancelling the tour.
“Security isn’t a reason because Pakistan has one of the best Security bases in the world,” he said.
Fast bowler Haris Rauf in his comments said a wrong precedent had been set. It is not a good omen for the cricketing fraternity, as the county’s security and intelligence agencies are capable to assess any kind of threat, he added.
Fast bowler Hassan Ali said Pakistan was a safe country. He assured the fans that the sad feelings would be turned into happy ones. Earlier, Great Shahid Afridi also took to twitter and blasted the New Zealand cricket team for their decision.
“On a hoax threat you have called off the tour despite all assurances! Black Caps do you understand the impact of your decision,” he argued.
Earlier in the day, the New Zealand team — much to the disappointment of the cricket-lovers in Pakistan — called off its one-day and T20I series minutes before the start of the first one-day international at Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Friday.
The New Zealand cricket board citing security reasons and taking a decision on their own cancelled the series, to be played after an 18-year gap.
The series was called off only minutes before the first one-dayer was due to start at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.
In a statement issued on its website, Pakistan Cricket Board said the series was cancelled due to security reasons. “New Zealand Cricket informed us they had been alerted to some security alert and have unilaterally decided to postpone the series,” the PCB statement added.
“Pakistan Cricket Board and Pakistan Government made foolproof security arrangements for all the visiting teams. We have assured the New Zealand Cricket of the same. The Pakistan Prime Minister 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 PCB statement further said.
The security officials with the New Zealand team have been satisfied with security arrangements made by the Pakistan government throughout their stay here.
The PCB is willing to continue the scheduled matches. However, cricket lovers in Pakistan and around the world will be disappointed by this last-minute withdrawal.
After a period of uncertainty, as details regarding the cause of the delay were awaited, a New Zealand cricket statement was issued, saying, “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”.
The New Zealand contingent in Pakistan is now preparing to leave the country.
New Zealand Cricket chief David White said it was simply not possible to continue with the tour given the advice he was receiving.
“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,” NZC chief executive David White said in the statement.
New Zealand Cricket Players Association chief executive Heath Mills echoed White’s sentiments. “We’ve been across this process throughout and are fully supportive of the decision. The players are in good hands; they are safe – and everyone’s acting in their best interests.”
New Zealand Cricket will comment on the details of the security threat nor the updated arrangements for the departing squad.
