Match abandoned due to security concerns
15:01 Local Time, 10:01 GMT, 15:31 IST: What was set to be a first game in 18 years for New Zealand on Pakistani shores hasn't turned out to be the way one foresaw. Unfortunate and especially gutting for the PCB - who did all the groundwork to make the tour possible. There will be lots of info as the day progresses. Do stay tuned to this platform to follow all that and more. For now we have nothing but to bid goodbye on a very sombre note. Stay safe and be well. Ciao!
NZC chief executive David White said it was simply not possible to continue with the tour given the advice he was receiving. “I understand this will be a blow for the PCB, who have been wonderful hosts, but player safety is paramount and we believe this is the only responsible option.” New Zealand Cricket Players Association chief executive Heath Mills echoed Mr White’s sentiments. “We’ve been across this process throughout and are fully supportive of the decision,” he said. “The players are in good hands; they’re safe – and everyone’s acting in their best interests.” NZC will not comment on the details of the security threat nor the updated arrangements for the departing squad.
Now PCB have come out with their side of things: "Earlier today, the New Zealand cricket board informed us that they had been alerted to some security alert and have unilaterally decided to postpone the series. PCB and Govt of Pakistan made fool proof security arrangements for all visiting teams. We have assured the New Zealand cricket board of the same. The Prime Minister spoke personally to the Prime Minister of New Zealand and informed her that we have one of the best Intelligence systems in the world and that no security threat of any kind exists for the visiting team. The security officials with the NZ team have been satisfied with security arrangements made by the Govt of Pakistan throughout their stay here. PCB is willing to continue the scheduled matches. However, cricket lovers in Pakistan and world over will be disappointed by this last minute withdrawal.
This is the official statement from NZC: "The side was to play Pakistan this evening in the first of three ODIs in Rawalpindi, before moving to Lahore for a five match T20 series. However, following an escalation in the New Zealand Government threat levels for Pakistan, and advice from NZC security advisors on the ground, it has been decided the BLACKCAPS will not continue with the tour. Arrangements are now being made for the team's departure."
14:33 Local Time, 09:33 GMT, 15:03 IST: Uh-oh! Disastrous news coming from Pakistan - the entire tour has been called off. We will wait for an official announcement on what really happened behind the scenes.
14:09 Local Time, 09:09 GMT, 14:39 IST: Extraordinary circumstances at the Pindi stadium. The toss should've happened by now, but there's chaos at the moment. Do stay tuned for further updates. Rumors swirling around that three New Zealand players have tested positive for Covid-19 - that's why all this uncertainty. Will confirm when there's official info.
1:55 pm: We're hearing news that the players have been asked to stay back in their respective rooms. Don't know what exactly is the issue, but the toss was supposed to happen in 5 minutes time, it could now be delayed. The crowd haven't been allowed inside the ground as well.
1:50 pm: Coming to team news, the visitors will be without Tom Blundell, who has been ruled out with a quad strain. Daryl Mitchell, originally part of only the T20I series squad, has been added to the 50-over squad, but he'll not feature today, as he's still completing his quarantine period, but will be available from the second match onwards.
1:45 pm local: While the rest of the cricketing world is getting into T20 mode, with the World Cup round the corner, Pakistan and New Zealand begin their respective seasons with a 3-match one-day international series. Originally part of the 2023 World Cup super league, lack of decision review system (DRS) has meant that this series is now a bilateral one, devoid of any meaning as far as qualification to the 2023 cup is concerned. While Pakistan have named a full-fledged squad, most of New Zealand's premier batsmen are in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), preparing for the Indian Premier League (IPL), which resumes on Sunday. This squad has had experience in sub-continent conditions though, they're coming from Bangladesh, where they played and lost 1-4 in a 5-match T20I series.
Preview:
December 7, 2003 - that was the day when New Zealand last played an international fixture in Pakistan. Brendon McCullum, Chris Crains, Jacob Orab and Daryl Tuffey were part of the fixture in Rawalpindi. They were then blanked 0-5 then but now return as the No. 1 ranked ODI side in the world albeit with a different set of players.
The Indian Premier League, the T20 World Cup and workload management has forced the New Zealand selectors to field a side sans some of their key members. There will be no Kane Williamson, or Kyle Jamieson or Trent Boult. The series will also not be part of the ODI Super League as Pakistan Cricket Board couldn't secure the services of the firm providing Decision Review System setup. All these factors do take some sheen off the value the series holds.
New Zealand, however, will be relieved to be out of Bangladesh. They did end with a 2-3 scoreline in the T20I series but at times looked at sea against the Bangladesh spinners. While spin will once again play a key role in the series, New Zealand won't have to worry about the extreme nature of the tracks they encountered in Bangladesh. Captain Tom Latham stressed the aim for his side to execute a performance with sustained pressure on the opposition. But a major factor will be how quickly they are able to adapt to the conditions.
Pakistan, on the other hand, haven't quite set the ODI Super League on fire. Their wins have been against Zimbabwe and South Africa, but they were handed a whitewash by a makeshift England unit in July. Not only that, they also had to endure a disappointing Super Over loss against Zimbabwe at home. The fact that this series doesn't carry any Super League points, it's also an opportunity for them to fine tune some of the aspects of their ODI setup. They will be without coaches Mishab ul Haq and Waqar Younis, as both have stepped down from their position.
Pakistan go into the series as favourites given their familiarity with the conditions and the onus is on them to make a statement.
What: Pakistan vs New Zealand, 1st ODI, 17 September 2021, 230pm local time
Where: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
What to expect: A humid day with dew expected to play a role in the second half of the contest.
Team News:
Pakistan: The hosts have already named their 12 for the match. The toss up will be between Usman Qadir and Zahid Mehmood.
Squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakil, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Qadir, Zahid Mahmood.
New Zealand: The visitors were handed a blow with Tom Blundell ruled out of the series because of a quad strain. Finn Allen was talked up in Bangladesh and could make his ODI debut.
Probable XI: Rachin Ravindra, Finn Allen, Will Young, Tom Latham (c&wk), Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, Ajaz Patel, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy/Blair Tickner, Scott Kuggeleijn/Doug Bracewell, Cole McConchie.
Squads:
Pakistan Squad: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam(c), Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Rizwan(w), Hasan Ali, Usman Qadir, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Saud Shakeel, Zahid Mahmood
New Zealand Squad: Henry Nicholls, Tom Latham(w/c), Finn Allen, Colin de Grandhomme, Daryl Mitchell, Will Young, Scott Kuggeleijn, Rachin Ravindra, Jacob Duffy, Cole McConchie, Hamish Bennett, Doug Bracewell, Matt Henry, Ajaz Patel, Blair Tickner