Despite all assurances from the Pakistani government and a positive security assessment, New Zealand Cricket has cancelled its Pakistan tour, citing “security threats” just before the start of the first ODI match.
And it’s left the nation and it’s cricket buffs angered:
On a HOAX threat you have called-off the tour despite all assurances!! @BLACKCAPS do you understand the IMPACT of your decision?
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) September 17, 2021
PCB also took to Twitter to share how others were feeling:
What they are saying! #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/6fSiQF8MqZ
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 17, 2021
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 17, 2021
The hashtag #ShameOnBlackCaps has also been trending on Twitter:
How did the country, which a few days ago was the safest place for the security of NATO and the US military, become unsafe for the New Zealand cricket team today?
#PAKvNZ #BCCI #NZvPAK #PakistanZindabad #ShameOnBlackCaps #PakistanIsSafeforEveryone pic.twitter.com/fPMfZJH8hU— Junaid Ali (@JunaidAliChhema) September 17, 2021
International fans were feeling for Pakistan:
This isn’t the one unfortunately! I’ve got a massive soft spot for Pakistan Cricket, always love the unpredictability of the teams, the quality of cricketers that Pakistan produces! They’re just a joy to watch 🥰 and Pakistan fans on this app are some of the best going as well! https://t.co/ct6Qkn2QhU
— Michael Parker (@Parksy17) September 17, 2021
People were calling the abandonment irresponsible:
https://twitter.com/BiniPTI/status/1438814134678790146?s=19
Exactly!
#ShameOnBlackCaps
After the attack on Bangladesh cricket in NZ and after the attack on a Mosque in New Zealand Christchurch, Pakistan was the first team to tour NZ. We showed the world that NZ was safe enough to play but this attitude of NZ is unacceptable.@SidrabilalSays— Sidra bilal (@SidrabilalSays) September 17, 2021
Fans were heartbroken:
https://twitter.com/Rahmatullah9900/status/1438857943743537154?s=19
People were calling it a planned conspiracy:
Pre-planned conspiracy to defame Pakistan.#PAKvNZ https://t.co/kCyM3iPOId
— Hasan Ahmed🇵🇸 (@HasanAh86420860) September 17, 2021
Citizens were assuring how Pakistan was safe for cricket:
Pakistan is more than safe https://t.co/42AClELggd
— MURSHID ka kilarhii 🇧🇫 (@AsimKhanYousaf6) September 17, 2021
People found the last-minute abandonment suspicious:
https://twitter.com/1128amnakhan/status/1438863122966536194?s=19
People were standing with PCB:
– I stand with the PCB, I stand with Pakistan!
🇵🇰 Zindabad https://t.co/vkUmvSLIfd— Asif Khan (@mak_asif) September 17, 2021
People were calling for an inquiry on the threat message:
https://twitter.com/stay_blessed4U/status/1438892059327336451?s=19
🤷♀️
https://twitter.com/MrKgking/status/1438866155037417474?s=19
Fans were hurt:
Our hearts really got broken. Its sucha big blow to us Pakistani's😔. We are hurt more then one can expect!our heads got down to the hole world💔 https://t.co/YZXvIUNXeB
— Nadir Sohail (@NadirSohail5) September 17, 2021
People were calling it a murder:
https://twitter.com/AssadKazmiPTI/status/1438835334008164352?s=19
People were disappointed!
https://twitter.com/_NomiTaalia/status/1438819411528409093?s=19
And while many empathised, others found it to be unprofessional:
https://twitter.com/shaanwaseem2/status/1438842397228732416?s=19
People were sharing that the damage had been done:
Damage has been done. https://t.co/02vMrX0AmW
— Oh Pakistan🇵🇰 (@OhPakistan) September 17, 2021
What do you think about the team abandoning the tour? Let us know in the comments below!