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LAHORE, July 18: New Zealand Cricket Board (NZCB) has confirmed its inability to participate in the triangular tournament which is scheduled to be played in Nairobi, Kenya from Aug 27 to Sept 7.
Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand were the teams for the competition which had to be shifted from Pakistan to Kenya due to security concerns raised by Australia and New Zealand.
The newly appointed director of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chishty Mujahid, told journalists Thursday that the NZCB chief executive Martin Snedden had conveyed the decision to the PCB.
Mujhaid said that the NZCB cited certain reasons without elaborating them for declining to compete in Kenya.
When asked if the NZCB showed any concern on security fears, he said that no such reason was given. “It is not indicated in the letter received from New Zealand but one of the reasons given is the fear of burn out of players”, he said.
He, however, claimed that Australia had confirmed its participation. “ PCB was considering to invite Kenya to replace New Zealand for which a formal invitation would be extended to them as there were no other teams available for the tournament”.
APP ADDS: He also dispelled chances of match fixing in a tri-nation tournament in August which gives the Tangier in Morocco the official status of a international cricket venue.
“ Amid the presence of ICC anti-corruption unit and the measures taking by games ruling body to curb the practice of match fixing there are no fears of any illegal practice there”,
South Africa, Sri Lanka and Pakistan feature in the series which will be played during August 12-22.
He said Tangier has been cleared by ICC for staging the series and ICC has taken this step after a thorough careful investigation and check-ups of the venue and its allied facilities.
“New Zealand Cricket Board has given a number of reasons for their teams withdrawal from the event “,he said.
When asked about any specific reason, he said, there is no reason given by the New Zealand Cricket Board and they offered multiple reasons for the withdrawal of their team.
The Tri-Nation series named as Golden Jubilee Series was to be played in Pakistan in August at Karachi. Security concerns raised by other participating teams forced the ICC to shift it to a neutral venue.
“ In the given circumstances, Kenya is the best choice and hopefully it will be compete in the tournament as other teams are busy with their schedules and have not time to play in that event”, he said.
He admitted after the withdrawal of New Zealand the tournament will offer less interest but there was no other choice except to extend invitation to Kenya.
