Pakistani cricket fans were left fuming when the New Zealand cricket team announced the decision to call off their Pakistan tour unilaterally minutes before their first One Day International match in Rawalpindi amid some unfounded security threats.
The New Zealand cricket team had arrived in Pakistan a few days ago after 18 years to play a series of matches. The last-minute withdrawal has raised questions about New Zealand cricket team’s intentions.
Talking to the media, Pakistani Senator Faisal Javed said the security situation in Pakistan was excellent and that the visitors were provided extraordinary security.
“It is incomprehensible to cancel the tour at the last minute,” the ruling party lawmaker said. “There is an enemy who has conspired. India has always been involved in conspiracies against Pakistan,” he added.
He said that Pakistan would take up the matter at all forums because cancellation of this tour was not a minor issue.
On social media, Twitter users came out in large numbers to express their frustration and anger at New Zealand cricket team’s decision. Many called for a boycott of the Black Caps in future.
https://twitter.com/hashmii_5857/status/1438896835997937667
https://twitter.com/itishammad/status/1438882549917437955
https://twitter.com/ArsalAbbaskhan/status/1438954631451877385
https://twitter.com/Mr_anja129/status/1438976232054562825
https://twitter.com/alixohaib91/status/1438895321111834630
https://twitter.com/RubinaViews/status/1438866599348428801
We felt sorry you couldn’t pick up the world cup now we pray you never🤬 #lanat pic.twitter.com/95mjhbVCk0
— Habib Sheikh (@doc_strange___) September 17, 2021
This happened in New Zealand not in PAKISTAN @jacindaardern 🖐🏿#PakvsNz #lanat #ShameOnBlackCaps pic.twitter.com/9EOGHXdpVz
— doublechocolatemuffin (@KhansaParacha) September 17, 2021
https://twitter.com/aliawan739/status/1438932188519702537
https://twitter.com/EhsanMa98053274/status/1438975387464347648
https://twitter.com/Ihtishamkhatt16/status/1438967618778566656
If i die donate my body to medical
except for my middle finger, give it to new Zealand cricket team.#PAKvNZ @BLACKCAPS #RamizRaja #Lanat pic.twitter.com/mKCZz65vpk— Dr Basit Ali (@basit3455) September 17, 2021