Pakistan will not boycott next month's Twenty20 World Cup match against New Zealand after the Black Caps were "disrespectful" and abruptly left their trip for fear of safety, the country's cricket board said.
The cancellation is a major problem in Pakistan, which has been trying to revive foreign tourist visits following the suspension of foreign countries following a 2009 terrorist attack on a Sri Lankan group in Lahore.
New Zealand has refused to provide details of a security threat that forced them to cancel their trip on Friday, as the first One-Day International was due to start in Rawalpindi.
The decision angered the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and sparked calls for the New Zealand team to be relegated.
However, PCB chief executive Wasim Khan said there was no such action on the cards.
"Right now there is no problem for us not to play New Zealand," Khan told a news conference.
“We have a responsibility to the fans and we have to achieve that. I think we just need to be very careful from a perspective. We do not want to take that path that shows any kind of political influence and stance, as well as any kind of visible protest."
Pakistan and New Zealand are expected to meet at the Twenty20 World Cup in Sharjah, UAE, on October 26.
Comments