Kiwis cancel Pakistan series

New Zealand may yet go to Pakistan in October

New Zealand have cancelled their cricket tour to Pakistan because of the terrorist attacks in the USA.

The Kiwis were due to arrive on Friday to play three one-day internationals and three Test matches.

The squad had reached Singapore, but was ordered to return home and the A team is leaving India, where they have been on tour for the past four weeks.

Pakistan is not in a position to guarantee the security of our players

Martin Snedden

"As soon as it became obvious that the risks were tangible, rather than imagined, it was an easy decision," said New Zealand Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden.

The decision was taken following advice from the country's Department of Foreign Affairs and security experts.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, who is playing his final match for Middlesex against Worcestershire, refused to comment to BBC Sport Online on the decision not to proceed with the tour, directing inquiries to New Zealand Cricket.

He did however, say he had been in discussions with New Zealand Cricket officials: "I've been in close contact with them and the decision came through this morning from Martin Snedden."

We hope that once the situation clears, we can manage to host New Zealand for a short tour

Munawaar Rana

Fleming was due to fly out on Sunday to join up with his team in Pakistan but would now fly back to New Zealand to prepare for their tour of Australia.

There is speculation that the USA will launch air strikes on neighbouring Afghanistan if dissident Osama bin Laden is found to have been behind the attacks on New York and Washington.

"It wasn't only because the first Test was due to be played in Peshawar, close to the border with Afghanistan, but the proximity of Pakistan to a potential troublespot," added Snedden.

"Pakistan will be naturally very disappointed, but if I am honest their reaction isn't of major concern to me," Snedden said.

NZC has told the Pakistan Cricket Board that they may make a short visit in October if the situation has stabilised by then.

"We are deeply disappointed over the postponement of the New Zealand team's tour of Pakistan but international events are beyond our reach, we can't help it," said PCB director Munawwar Rana.

"We hope that once the situation clears, we can manage to host New Zealand for a short tour."

The curtailment of the tour is not the first time New Zealand cricket tours have been cancelled.

In 1987 and 1992 tours to Sri Lanka were abandoned because of fears over security.