NZ squad arrive home after Pakistan pull-out
courtesy
|| CF DESK ||
New Zealand's cricket team reached home on Wednesday after abandoning the first tour of Pakistan in 18 years, citing a security threat.
The squad touched down in Auckland after flying from Dubai and will undergo a mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine according to the New Zealand government protocols.
As many as eight first-choice players from New Zealand ranks were missing due to the series’ clash with the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League.
New Zealand's captain Tom Latham said the squad had a hectic 24 hours once they found out they were heading home.
"We managed to get to Dubai 24 hours after the decision was made. The guys dealt with it all slightly differently but we stayed tight as a group over there in those 24 hours we had in Islamabad,” said Latham.
The tour was called off just a minute away from the first one-day international after the New Zealand team received a "specific and credible" threat.
Latham regrets the cancellation of the tour and said it was disappointing for their fans.
“It’s naturally very disappointing for them [Pakistan and their fans]. It was something they were very proud of. I remember doing the captain’s round with Babar [Azam] the day before and just seeing how happy he was to have international cricket and have us there. He was very excited and it was a historic moment for New Zealand Cricket to be back there 18 years since they were last there,” he said.
