Pakistani policemen walk near the empty stands of the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Friday. AFP

Gulf Today Report

In a devastating blow to Pakistan cricket, New Zealand on Friday pulled out of their cricket series over ‘security concerns.’

The New Zealand cricket board’s decision came just hours before the start of first ODI between New Zealand and Pakistan in Rawalpindi.

In a statement on Friday, New Zealand Cricket clearly said that following an escalation in the New Zealand Government threat levels for Pakistan, and advice from (New Zealand Cricket) security advisers on the ground, it has been decided the BLACKCAPS will not continue with the tour.

Authorities are now making arrangements for the team to leave Pakistan.

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The Kiwis were in Pakistan for the first time since 2003 and were due to play three ODIs, followed by five Twenty20 matches.

Evan a call form Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan to his New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern failed to convince the New Zealand Cricket Board to go ahead with the tour.

Most of the squad arrived on Saturday and Sunday with a level of security usually reserved for visiting heads of state that included armed guards escorting their bulletproof buses.

Pakistan has been trying to revive tours by foreign sides after international cricket was suspended following a 2009 terror attack on the touring Sri Lankan team.

And to make matters worse even England who are supposed to tour Pakistan next month have now said that said they would decide in the next 48 hours about the fate of the England-Pakistan series.

New Zealand agreed to tour Pakistan only after clearance from its security delegation that inspected arrangements in Pakistan last month.

The Pakistan Cricket Board in a statement said the security officials with the New Zealand team were satisfied with security arrangements made by the Pakistan Government throughout their stay here.