Reports: PCB receive biryani bill of Rs 27 lakh for security officials hired for New Zealand team

New Zealand’s much-awaited tour of Pakistan was called off in an unfortunate manner. Although the Kiwi team landed in Pakistan for three ODIs and five T20Is, they were called back without playing a single match. The New Zealand Cricket Board (NZC) cited security concerns behind the sudden cancellation of the tour. Notably, this would have been the New Zealand cricket team’s first national assignment on Pakistan soil since 2004.

With the significance of this series being so high, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had made several preparations. However, they faced disappointment as the tour was called off. As per the latest development, PCB are set to endure huge financial losses due to the cancellation of the series. In fact, the cricket board is staring at a hefty amount just to pay the food bills of security officials hired for the Kiwi team.

Cancellation of New Zealand tour proved costly for PCB

As per the reports, the security agencies hired for the Blackcaps came at a huge cost. If that was not enough, PCB needs to spend around INRT 27 lakhs just to pay off the food bills of the officers who were in charge of security of the New Zealand team. If reports are to be believed, five SPs and over 500 SSPs (police officers) deployed for the security of the Kiwis along with the Pakistan Army in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

As per a report in Anandabazar Patrika, each security personnel served Biriyani twice a day, the cost of which came to approximately ₹27 lakhs. Meanwhile, the tour was called off hours before the first ODI in Rawalpindi.

“The side was to play Pakistan this evening in the first of three ODIs in Rawalpindi, before moving to Lahore for a five-match T20 series. However, following an escalation in the New Zealand Government threat levels for Pakistan, and advice from NZC security advisors on the ground, it has been decided the BLACKCAPS will not continue with the tour,” NZC said in the statement calling off the tour.

Meanwhile, both Pakistan and New Zealand are currently gearing up for the high-voltage T20 World Cup. While the Men in Green have clinched the 2009 edition of the competition, the trophy is still elusive for the Kiwis. Hence, it would be interesting to see how both teams fare in the global event.