Just a few days after New Zealand cancelled their limited overs series against Pakistan at the last minute, England Cricket Board also decided to cancel their tour to Pakistan. England have cancelled their decision to send their women’s and men’s team on the tour of Pakistan. Pakistan fans are disappointed and want to know why did England cancel Pakistan tour.
Crazy day it has been! Feel so sorry for the fans and our players. Walking out of the tour by taking a unilateral approach on a security threat is very frustrating. Especially when it’s not shared!! Which world is NZ living in??NZ will hear us at ICC.
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) September 17, 2021
New Zealand had refused to take the field citing security reasons. Few days back, New Zealand abandoned its ongoing tour of Pakistan before the start of the first ODI in Rawalpindi, citing a security threat, which the host board asserted did not exist. NZC declined to share details of the security threat and said arrangements were being made for the team’s departure.
Why did England cancel Pakistan tour ?
The England Cricket Board said that the bio-bubble has adversely affected the mental and physical health of the players. Although, it is quite clear that the ECB cancelled the tour after being influenced by New Zealand. The board also feels that the tour is not the right preparation for the T20 World Cup. The World Cup will begin in Oman and UAE from October 14.
A statement issued by the England Cricket Board said, “The mental health of our players and support staff will always be a top priority for us. And in the current circumstances it becomes even more important. We know there are a lot of concerns about going to this area and we feel that if we go on this tour, there will be more pressure on the team. They are under a lot of pressure by living in an already controlled corona environment.”
“We understand that this decision must have brought a lot of disappointment to the PCB,” the ECB said. The PCB is working tirelessly on the return of international cricket to its country. He has supported the England and Wales Cricket Board in the last two seasons, which is a great proof of friendship. We sincerely apologise for its impact on Pakistan and insist on the commitment of our main tour of 2022.”
The ECB held a weekend meeting and decided to withdraw from the women’s and men’s team’s October tour of Pakistan.
It was only after New Zealand cancelled their tour for security reasons that the tour of England was also questioned. In a meeting held this weekend, the ECB decided that the teams would not visit Pakistan. The board has taken this decision giving priority to the physical and mental health of the players and support staff. The environment of corona and bio-bubble is adversely affecting the health of the players.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) newly appointed Chairman Rameez Raja expressed disappointment over decision. Raja tweeted:
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.
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) September 20, 2021
“Disappointed that England has withdrawn from its commitment and not fulfilling the promise to a member of our cricket community, we needed it the most at the moment.”
In 2009, a terrorist attack on a Sri Lankan team bus took place in Lahore, Pakistan. Since then, foreign teams have been reluctant to visit Pakistan. Six policemen and two civilians were killed in the attack.
Now that the England tour of Pakistan has been cancelled, the players will be available for the entire length of IPL Season 14, including the playoffs.
