NZCPA Statement on Cancellation of pakistan tour

Statement from New Zealand Cricket Players Association (NZCPA)

The NZCPA is delighted that the Blackcaps have arrived safely in Dubai following the cancellation of the Pakistan tour. Obviously, it has not been an easy time for the players and their families and it is a relief to everyone knowing that they are now safe.

We recognise and understand that the decision to leave their country is extremely disappointing for the people of Pakistan. However, player safety has to be our number one priority and we completely support the decision that has been made by New Zealand Cricket (NZC).

Importantly, we would like to thank the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the respective Pakistan Government agencies for their excellent care and support of our team at this time – it is much appreciated and we couldn’t have asked for more. We really feel for PCB CEO Wasim Khan and his team given the work they had put in to ensure the tour could go ahead, and we only hope that one day the situation will be such that we will be able to return safely.

We have complete confidence in the security check processes we follow with NZC prior to going on any tour and remain comfortable with the decision to go - our players were really looking forward to playing in Pakistan for the first time. However, the security checking doesn’t stop on arrival and the continued risk assessments had determined that the situation for our team had changed last Friday and that a decision needed to be made to leave.

We would also like to thank the team at NZC led by David White who have done an outstanding job throughout – their commitment to player involvement in decision making and player safety is second to none.

In addition, we thank the New Zealand Government for their support and also our security consultant Reg Dickason whose experience and expertise in managing security for sporting tours and tournaments is hugely valued. ​