New Zealand Cricket have decided to not tour Pakistan for a T20I series that was touted to be played later this year. It could have been the first time that the Kiwis toured Pakistan in 15 years but it seems like it won’t happen after all.

According to the chairman of New Zealand Cricket Greg Barclay, New Zealand are not comfortable going to Pakistan due to security concerns. While he also understands that the Pakistan Cricket Board are disappointed with the decision, he hopes that they understand New Zealand’s concern as the two boards maintain a great relationship.

“At the end of the day, it came down to following the advisory and the security reports we’d obtained.” New Zealand Cricket chairman Greg Barclay said.

“There’s no doubt they [Pakistan Cricket Board] are disappointed. I think they saw a tour by a country like New Zealand as being a great precedent for them to start to build an international programme back in Pakistan,” Barclay continued.

“So they’re disappointed but they’re good guys, we get on really well with Pakistan, and I think they’re fully accepting of the decision that we’ve reached.”

Pakistan are slowly trying to bring back international cricket to the country of late. Recently, Sri Lanka toured the nation for a T20I series and, added to that, two Pakistan Super League finals have also been played in Pakistan.