Ian Watmore, ECB chairman promise to ‘do everything we can’: Ian Watmore, the president of the ECB, apologized to Pakistan Cricket. And admitted that the relationship between the two boards must be rebuilt in their first public comments. After England moved to New Zealand just days away from their planned men’s and women’s tours. Had withdrawn to Pakistan had abruptly stopped their tour of Pakistan citing a specific security threat.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Watmore said that safety was a factor. But insisted that the player’s well-being was a primary consideration. “I am very sorry for anyone who feels hurt or disappointed by our decision, especially in Pakistan,” Watmore said. “The decision the board made was extremely difficult.
“I won’t go into details, but we received advice on security and player welfare and took the decision we made. We had to make it quickly because of the short term to the World Cup and the New Zealand exodus from Pakistan. They were all factors, but the primary consideration was the welfare of the players.”
The October tours would be England’s first in Pakistan since 2005-06 and the first for the English women’s team. The men must play two T20Is in the run-up to the T20 World Cup, both sides double with the women, while the women must also stay for a three-game ODI series.
Ian Watmore: “We need to rebuild our relationship with Pakistan and will refocus on going there in 2022. This wasn’t the right time. Obviously, we’re extremely grateful to Pakistan for coming here last year and we will do everything we can to deliver the scheduled tour next year”
England‘s withdrawal has prompted PCB President Ramiz Raja to talk about drawing up contingency plans for England‘s full tour of Pakistan in 2022 because he’s not convinced they won’t leave at the last minute.
The effects of this decision are still being felt in Pakistan. There is concern within the PCB that England‘s withdrawal will result in Australia also not touring as planned early next year. That would ruin one of Pakistan’s supposedly biggest home seasons in recent years.
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