The New Zealand cricket team on Friday abandoned its ongoing tour of Pakistan just before the start of the first ODI here, citing a security threat which the host board insisted did not exist while declaring the pullout a unilateral move.

This was New Zealand’s first tour of Pakistan in 18 years and the series comprised three ODIs and five T20I. Spectators were also to be allowed at 25 per cent of the stadium capacity keeping in mind the Covid-19 factor. The Pakistan Cricket Board chief Ramiz Raja said New Zealand will have to answer for the pullout at the ICC.