NZC hopeful of finding a window for abandoned Pakistan tour next year

New Zealand CEO David White is hopeful of finding a window for the abandoned white-ball series against Pakistan sometime next year. New Zealand were scheduled to play three One-Day Internationals (ODI) and five T20 Internationals (T20I) in Pakistan but called it off just before the first ODI due to a security threat.

"I'm sure we'll find a window. We are scheduled to play them next year in January and February, two Test matches as part of the World Test Championships and some ODIs, so maybe we can wrap the games around those series," White said on Mornings with Ian Smith show on SEN Radio.

"The PCB were fantastic, very professional. We will work through with them over the coming weeks and months to ensure we fulfill our obligations to them, we've got to play five ODIs and three T20s against them."

"It's really disappointing for Pakistan cricket, but we had no option but to leave the tour, unfortunately," he added.

While talking about the nature of the threat, White said, "I was at home and we got a call from a government agency on Friday afternoon informing us of a specific credible threat against the team."

"I contacted our security person in Pakistan, which was at 3 am in the morning, and we just worked through it with him on the ground and other independent sources as well."

He said the New Zealand government agencies informed that they had knowledge of a specific credible threat against the team. "They informed us of that immediately and we continued those discussions and informed our people on the ground (in Pakistan). We had a contingency in place. We had a charter flight that was available at short notice."

"So we were able to do that and execute that and secure accommodation in Dubai where the team are going to be staying for the World T20s, so that's where the players are now.

"They are all safe and in a secure place, I think they're in a hotel where there are two of the IPL teams as well."

(With inputs from PTI)