The England Cricket Board (ECB) have withdrawn both their men’s and women’s teams from the upcoming tour of Pakistan that was scheduled to be played next month. The country’s board of cricket had made this decision earlier today just a few days after the announcement of the New Zealand board to withdraw themselves from the tour due to security concerns in Pakistan 3 days ago. The men’s team were scheduled to play 2 T20I matches on the 13th and 14th of October in Rawalpindi while the women’s side were due to play a three-match ODI series that would have ran from the 17th till the 21st of October.
"We can confirm that the Board has reluctantly decided to withdraw both teams from the October trip."
🇵🇰 #PAKvENG 🏴
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 20, 2021
“The ECB Board convened this weekend to discuss these extra England Women’s and Men’s games in Pakistan and we can confirm that the Board has reluctantly decided to withdraw both teams from the October trip,” the ECB said in a statement as reported by Reuters. The mental and physical well-being of our players and support staff remains our highest priority,” it added while keeping the current situation living situation in mind.
The Black Caps had abruptly abandoned their visit to Pakistan on Friday after stating a security alert that took a massive hit to the host country that hoped to stage regular international cricket. The decision prompted the former Pakistan international Shoaib Akhtar to take to social media by stating “NZ (New Zealand”) just killed Pakistan cricket”. The newly appointed chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Ramiz Raja has taken to social media to talk about the withdrawal of the two English teams.
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