'That decision was out of our hands' - Gary Stead on New Zealand cancelling their Pakistan tour at last minute

The Pakistan Cricket Board came up with several rude remarks after New Zealand canceled their white-ball tour with them at the last minute. New Zealand denied playing against Pakistan in their eight white-ball games because of a security threat to players. Talking in the same light, Kiwi coach Gary stead opened up on how the decision to cancel the tour was ‘out of their hands.’

Stead has backed his players to perform very well against men in green in the upcoming T20 World Cup despite angry comments from PCB chief Ramiz Raja. Right after New Zealand cancelled their limited-overs series against Pakistan, several big names from the nation criticized Blackcaps a lot.

“That decision was out of our hands. Guys are now in Dubai and getting ready, and there’s the IPL that they can have a good look at, which in many ways is good preparation for them as well,” said Stead as quoted by stuff.co.nz.

Stead added that five players who were part of Pakistan’s T20I series have already started practicing on the pitches of the UAE under coach Thilan Samaraweera. On the other hand, their reserve player Adam Milne is also playing IPL 2021 with Mumbai Indians. The NZ head coach added that it is quite obvious that Pakistan cricket will be upset with them but they can’t really do anything.

It was obviously unsettling and disappointing what happened in Pakistan: Gary Stead

“I think they’re okay. It was obviously unsettling and disappointing what happened in Pakistan and we certainly feel for the Pakistan cricket fraternity and fans,” Stead added.

New Zealand are looking like one of the favourites to clinch the T20 World Cup in the UAE as they are looking in a great tone lately. They will play warm-up matches with Australia and England ahead of their opening clash against Pakistan on October 27.

It has to be noted that right after New Zealand cancelled their tour to Pakistan, England also abandoned their men’s and women’s tour to Pakistan. It has acted as a huge blow to Pakistan’s cricket financially as they made a lot of efforts to bring back international cricket.