KARACHI: New Zealand Cricket Players Association (NZCPA) chief executive Heath Mills while commenting on the prospects of his team’s tour to Pakistan after Zimbabwe example said that his country would rely on the advice of independent security observers.
Speaking to a Pakistan’s Dawn News Channel, Heath opined that the Zimbabwe tour may have gone well but it does not mean that any future tour will be safe.
With all legitimate security concerns, Zimbabwe Cricket’s decision to tour Pakistan “in spite of the independent security advised received” was surprising for the NZCPA’s chief executive. “We are surprised that the Zimbabwe board took a decision to tour Pakistan at this point in time. I understand that Zimbabwe’s own security experts advised them not to tour after visiting Pakistan for assessment of situation, and so too the ICC experts,” he said.
When asked would the New Zealand Cricket be willing to show faith in Pakistan’s security arrangements and determination to protect visitors Heath said, “It’s not a question of ‘showing faith’ and just hoping all will be okay.
We must be guided by experts and they will make an assessment based on the level of risk at the time, and the ability of local authorities to mitigate that risk and protect our people.”
He was of the view that the Sri Lankan attack proved that cricket was now a direct target of terror groups.
The NZCPA chief executive, however, sympathised with Pakistan cricket and said he was disappointed with the absence of international cricket there for six years. “It is disappointing that Pakistan has not had any international cricket played in its country in recent years and we all sympathise with the situation.
