New Zealand batter Henry Nicholls has lauded the security arrangements in Pakistan as the second-string Kiwi squad gears up for a five-match T20I series commencing on April 18. The team, sans nine key players participating in IPL 2024, arrived in Rawalpindi on April 12, ushering in a new chapter of cricketing relations between the two nations.
Expressing confidence in Pakistan’s security measures, Nicholls emphasized the players’ sense of safety during their time in the country. In an interview with the Times of India, he commended Pakistan for their exemplary hospitality and top-notch security protocols, affirming that the team feels incredibly safe amidst their stay.
“We seem to have been there a bit in the last few years. From the players’ point of view, we feel incredibly safe. We’ve been looked after really well by Pakistan when we’ve been there. Each time I’ve been there, I felt safe and the security has been top-notch,” Nicholls said in an interview with the Times of India.
This sentiment marks a significant shift from New Zealand’s past apprehensions regarding security concerns in Pakistan. In 2021, the New Zealand cricket team abruptly canceled their tour minutes before the first match, citing security issues. However, subsequent tours in late 2022-23, comprising two tests and three ODIs, and in May for five T20Is and five ODIs, signaled a gradual return to cricketing normalcy between the two nations.
The upcoming series, intended to compensate for the previously abandoned fixtures, holds symbolic importance for both sides. The first three T20Is are slated to take place in Rawalpindi, with the subsequent two matches set to unfold at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on April 25 and 27, respectively. Michael Bracewell will lead the Kiwi squad in this eagerly anticipated series, highlighting the depth of talent within the New Zealand cricketing ranks.
As cricket aficionados await the action-packed encounters between New Zealand and Pakistan, the positive sentiments echoed by Nicholls underscore the strides made in fostering a conducive environment for international cricket in Pakistan.
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