Dispelling the impression that the go to of Reg Dickason — a long-time unbiased safety marketing consultant for New Zealand Cricket (NZC) — to Pakistan subsequent week was associated to the scenario in neighbouring Afghanistan, a spokesperson for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday mentioned that Dickason was “always scheduled” to go to the nation as a part of NZC’s tour protocols.
Throughout his go to, Dickason would examine the stadia in Rawalpindi and Lahore and report again to New Zealand Cricket, the spokesperson mentioned.
“The PCB remains confident the tour will take place and is already working hard to make it a success,” the spokesperson affirmed.
“Dickason’s tour was always scheduled in late August, following his visit to Bangladesh, and is not related to the latest developments in Afghanistan,” he additional mentioned.
The PCB spokesperson’s feedback got here after some native and worldwide media shops reported that New Zealand’s tour to Pakistan — the primary in 18 years — was unsure amid the scenario in Afghanistan the place the Taliban took management of the capital Kabul earlier this week and declared that the warfare was over.
Dickason can be a safety marketing consultant for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and can submit a report back to them as effectively, the PCB spokesperson mentioned.
England’s women and men groups are attributable to tour Pakistan in October.
NZ gamers specific issues
New Zealand agreed to undertake the Black Caps’ tour of Pakistan, with three One-day Internationals and 5 T20s scheduled for Rawalpindi and Lahore from September 17 to October 3. The unrest in Kabul is happening 400km from Rawalpindi, the place New Zealand are scheduled to play Pakistan of their opening match.
Nevertheless, some gamers have reportedly expressed their issues over safety in Pakistan after the Taliban’s takeover in Afghanistan.
On Tuesday, New Zealand batting nice Glenn Turner additionally questioned whether or not NZC has its gamers’ finest pursuits at coronary heart by agreeing to tour Pakistan.
“Just when duty of care for athletes has become a hot topic, NZC announces a tour to Pakistan,” Turner, additionally a former New Zealand coach and selector, wrote within the Otago Day by day Instances newspaper.
“Pakistan is not only Covid-19 ravaged, currently averaging around 4500 reported cases daily, but even more concerning are the developments of Taliban successes in neighbouring Afghanistan.”
Nevertheless, New Zealand Cricket Gamers Affiliation chief govt Heath Mills mentioned that Dickason would go to Pakistan for an in depth evaluation of the scenario.
“We’re very comfortable with the process we’ve got, but notwithstanding that, with events in Afghanistan in the last few days, it’s very sad what’s happening in that country and people are obviously asking questions of our security check processes,” Mills mentioned.
“That includes players, which is completely understandable. We just need to assure them of the process, and follow it, and reach a determination.”
Mills mentioned if any gamers determined to not tour for security causes they might withdraw with out concern of repercussions from NZC.
