Pakistani celebs condemn New Zealand for calling off cricket tour

Fans of cricket were left heartbroken on Friday after New Zealand pulled out of their scheduled ODI series against Pakistan due to a “security threat” in the country.

The move was met with much condemnation in Pakistan, with fans disappointed in NZ’s last-minute decision. Celebs including Humayun Saeed, Faysal Qureshi, Asim Azhar, and Anoushey Ashraf among others also voiced out against the Black Caps, dubbing their move “strange” and “disappointing”.

“Strange and disturbing move by New Zealand. The entire world is aware, law and order in Pakistan is under complete control,” said Meray Paas Tum Ho star Humayun Saeed on his official Twitter.

Strange & disturbing move by New Zealand. The entire world is aware law & order in Pakistan is under complete control; our security & intelligence agencies are outstanding at their job. Last minute cancellation without any proof makes NO sense! Disappointing for millions of fans!

— Humayun Saeed (@iamhumayunsaeed) September 17, 2021

He went on to highlight the prowess of Pakistan’s intelligence agencies and said, “Last-minute cancellation without any proof makes NO sense! Disappointing for millions of fans!”

Singer Asim Azhar also expressed disappointment at the news, tweeting, “Its sad but its ok. We’re a nation used to bouncing back. Pakistan is safe and always will be.”

Its sad but its ok. We’re a nation used to bouncing back. Pakistan is safe & always will be. We’ll still open heartedly welcome New Zealand or any other nation that thinks otherwise bcz thats who we are.

p.s. beware of a cornered Pakistan, world. See u at t20 world cup! #PAKvNZ

— Asim Azhar (@AsimAzharr) September 17, 2021

He added that Pakistan will still welcome NZ and other teams because “that’s who we are” and openly challenged teams competing in the upcoming World Cup, saying, “Beware of a cornered Pakistan, World. See you at the T20 world cup!”

Anoushey Ashraf took to her Twitter handle to share a post paying tribute to Wasim Khan who is credited for the revival of cricket in Pakistan in the post. She went on to add her own take to the situation, writing, “We all know who’s behind this pettiness. But we have seen worse and will wait for the games to return with patience and resilience still.”

We all know who’s behind this pettiness. But we have seen worse and will wait for the games to return with patience and resilience still. Good things are on their way. Shoutout to Wasim Khan for doing his best to bring cricket back to Pakistan. #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/FH4qgwXvri

— Anoushey Ashraf (@Anoushey_a) September 18, 2021

Cricketing legend Wasim Akram’s wife Shaniera Akram, an Australian activist, also vouched for safety in Pakistan, tweeting, “There is no place in the world I feel more safe than in Pakistan.”

There is no place in the world I feel more safe than in Pakistan 🇵🇰

— Shaniera Akram (@iamShaniera) September 18, 2021

Actor Faysal Qureshi also joined in on the Twitter trend #PAKvsNZ, saying NZ’s decision left him disappointed. “This is just sad and shocking after all the work that had been put in by the organisers as well as the team. Millions of cricket fans have been let down today,” he tweeted. 

Very disappointed to hear about #NZ backing out of the game at the last minute. This is just sad and shocking after all the work that had been put in by the organisers as well as the team. Millions of cricket fans have been let down today. #PAKvNZ

— Faysal Quraishi (@faysalquraishi) September 17, 2021

Farhan Saeed on the other hand deemed Pakistan “as safe as it gets” on his Twitter handle.

“Pakistan is as safe as it gets for any cricketing nation that comes here. Unfortunate to see the unilateral cancellation of the #PAKvNZ series – a sad day for international cricket,” he said. 

Pakistan is as safe as it gets for any cricketing nation that comes here.
Unfortunate to see the unilateral cancellation of the #PAKvNZ series – a sad day for international cricket.#PakvsNz #Pakistan #NewZealand

— Farhan Saeed (@farhan_saeed) September 17, 2021

The New Zealand Cricket Board on Friday informed Pakistan Cricket Board and government that they have been “alerted to some security alert” and have thus decided to postpone the series scheduled to be played in Pakistan without consultation, ARY News reported.

Separately the official Twitter handle of New Zealand Cricket also confirmed the development and said, “arrangements are now being made for the team’s departure.” read more

It is pertinent to note that Prime Minister Imran Khan also spoke to New Zealand premier Jacinda Adern personally and reassured her that Pakistan has the “best intelligence systems in the world and that no security threat of any kind exists for the visiting team”.