Pakistan cricket in shambles as England withdrawal after New Zealand

Monday: The England Cricket Board announced that men’s and women’s teams will be withdrawing from their upcoming trip to Pakistan.

“We can confirm that the Board has reluctantly decided to withdraw both teams from the October trip.” The ECB said in a tweet.

The announcement comes three days after New Zealand called off their tour of Pakistan. Due to a “security concern.”

This incident happened minutes before the first ODI match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Resultant in shocking Pakistani spectators and officials.

The ECB noted in a statement that it had “a longstanding commitment to touring Pakistan in 2022 as part of the Men’s Future Tours Program.”

Read More: Ramiz Raja to take over as PCB Chairman

England withdrawal from Pakistan T20 world cup

It was reported that England had agreed to play two further T20 World Cup warm-up games in Pakistan in October. As well as a brief women’s trip featuring doubleheaders, in addition to the men’s games.

“The ECB Board convened this weekend to discuss these extra England Women’s and Men’s games in Pakistan. And we can confirm that the Board has reluctantly decided to withdraw both teams from the October trip,” it added.

The board emphasized that players’ and staff’s mental and physical well-being remained its highest priority. “And this is even more critical given the times we are currently living in.”

“We know there are increasing concerns about traveling to the region.”

Furthermore, adding that “this will add further pressure to a playing group who have already coped with a long period of operating in restricted Covid environments.”

Read More: Pakistan vs New Zealand series canceled minutes before the start of 1st ODI

According to the press release, the England Men’s T20 team has “added complexity.”

“We think that traveling in these conditions will not be optimal preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2021 when winning remains a key objective,” it said.

Ramiz Raja shows disappointment after England withdrawal

Ramiz Raja, chair of the Pakistan Cricket Board, tweets, “Disappointed with England. Pulling out of their commitment & failing a member of their Cricket fraternity when it needed it most. Survive we will inshallah. A wake-up call for Pak team to become the best team in the world for teams to line up to play them without making excuses.”

Also Read: Lasith Malinga retires from all forms of cricket

The ODI series against New Zealand was supposed to be played at the Rawalpindi Stadium. Matches scheduled for Sept 17, 19, and 21. Meanwhile the Gaddafi Stadium was slated to host five T20s from Sept 25 to Oct 3.

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