Black Caps' Pakistan tour is subject to security reassessment after players raised concerns
18 August, 2021
PHOTO COURTESY: NZC
Uncertainty surrounds New Zealand’s upcoming tour, first in 18 years, of Pakistan after players raised concerns over Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.
According to Stuff, the events in Afghanistan provided a boost to an affiliated insurgent group, the Pakistani Taliban, the Washington Post reported, and amplified security concerns in Pakistan.
“We’re very comfortable with the process we’ve got, but notwithstanding that, with events in Afghanistan in the last few days, it’s very sad what’s happening in that country and people are obviously asking questions of our security check processes,” NZ Cricket Players Association boss, Heath Mills, said.
“That includes players, which is completely understandable. We just need to assure them of the process, and follow it, and reach a determination,” he added.
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The report added that New Zealand Cricket’s independent security consultant Reg Dickason would visit Pakistan for a detailed assessment of the situation next week.
“That will take him [Dickason] four or five days and then he’ll report back, and recommend whether the tour goes ahead, or it doesn’t for whatever reason... if there are changes to whatever the plan might be,” Mills said.
New Zealand are set to play three ODIs at Rawalpindi on September 17, 19 and 21. They will also take part in five T20Is at Lahore on September 25, 26 and 29, October 1 and 3.
