NEWS
Follow UsEngland and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) decision to cancel their upcoming men's and women's tour of Pakistan is likely to draw more criticism after British High Commissioner to the country, Christian Turner, said that the UK government did not have any say in it.
The ECB on Monday cancelled the both the tours scheduled for October following New Zealand abandoning their limited-overs tour. PCB chairman Ramiz Raja criticized the move saying ECB's reason was not security but players being uncomfortable and the Players Association being iffy.
Aakhir main jeet cricket kee hogee #PakVsEng@iramizraja @TheRealPCB pic.twitter.com/JNgOMcuD7Q
— Christian Turner (@CTurnerFCDO) September 21, 2021
In a video posted on Twitter, Turner revealed that the British High Commission did not express any security concern.
"I share the deep sadness of cricket fans that England will not tour Pakistan in October. This was a decision made by the ECB, which is independent of the British government, based on concerns for player welfare. The British High Commission supported the tour, did not advise against it on security grounds and our travel advice for Pakistan has not changed."
"I have been a champion of international cricket's return to Pakistan and will redouble my efforts in advance of England's autumn 2022 tour. My thanks to all at the PCB who have worked so hard in support of that. I hope that we will hear the roar of full cricket stadiums again. In the end, cricket will be victorious."
Pakistan's Information Minister Fawad Chaudhury on Tuesday said that they are mulling legal action against New Zealand Cricket and ECB for the financial losses incurred.
