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| November 19, 2003 | Wednesday | Ramazan 23, 1424 |
Kiwis tour to Pakistan given go ahead
WELLINGTON (New Zealand) Nov 18: New Zealand’s cricket tour to Pakistan will go ahead despite a threat to the team’s safety, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said on Tuesday.
NZC chief executive Martin Snedden said the tour would proceed but would begin a week later than scheduled at the request of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
“The delay to the start of the tour has allowed specific aspects arising out of the threat received against the Black Caps last week to be resolved,” Snedden said.
“We have been advised not to comment on any specifics related to that threat.”
The scheduled tour was thrown into jeopardy last week when an e-mail threatening the New Zealand team’s safety was received by a New Zealand diplomatic post.
The two-sentence e-mail contained a specific threat against the team. New Zealand Cricket has since worked with the PCB, the International Cricket Coundil, New Zealand’s ministry of foreign affairs and trade and its own security adviser to establish its source and validity.
Snedden said a five-match one-day series between New Zealand and Pakistan would now begin on Nov. 29, rather than Nov. 20.
Pakistan announced the delay, reportedly at New Zealand’s request, to allow New Zealand players currently touring India to recover from injuries. The New Zealand tour management was unaware of the delay.
Four members of the New Zealand team who refused to travel to Pakistan because of safety concerns arrived home from India on Tuesday. Captain Stephen Fleming has also returned to New Zealand, suffering from a stomach muscle injury.
“The Cricket Players Association and the Black Cap players currently in India have been kept fully informed and are satisfied with the revised playing programme,” Snedden said.
“Security will be at an executive level.
“We are satisfied with the security arrangements but will continue to monitor the situation in the leadup to and during the tour.”
The New Zealand players will now return to New Zealand on Thursday for a short break before departing on the Pakistan tour.
New Zealand Cricket has yet to announce replacements for batsmen Craig McMillan and Lou Vincent, fast bowler Ian Butler and all-rounder Scott Styris who have chosen not to make the Pakistan tour.—APP/AP
Our Lahore Sports Correspondent adds: New Zealand cricket team will now tour Pakistan from Nov 27 to Dec 7 to play five One-day International matches here, it was officially announced on Tuesday.
Earlier, the Kiwis were to tour from Nov 20 to Dec 1, but the change was made after the New Zealand Cricket Board (NZCB) received an e-mail threat from unknown sources not to undertake the tour during the holy month of Ramazan.
The four players who expressed their inability to undertake the tour for security reasons are Craig McMillan, Ian Butler, Scott Styris and Lou Vincent.
New itinerary:
Nov 29- 1st ODI - Lahore (D/N).
Dec 1- 2nd ODI - Lahore (D/N).
Dec 3-3rd ODI - Faisalabad.
Dec 5- 4th ODI - Rawalpindi (D/N).
Dec 7- 5th ODI - Rawalpindi (D/N).
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