ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Cricket Board on Wednesday night announcedfollowing advice from the Koninklijke Nederlandse Cricket Bond (KNCB), ithas indefinitely postponed its July tour to the Netherlands after the Dutchgovernment banned all events (sports and cultural) until 1 September 2020due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Pakistan national men’s cricket team was scheduled to play threeOne-Day Internationals in Amstelveen on 4, 7 and 9 July.
PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said here: “It is sad that we have topostpone our July tour to the Netherlands, but in the prevailingcircumstances, this is absolutely the right thing to do as human lives arefar more precious and valuable than a cricket match or an event.
“Netherlands has been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and weoffer our heartfelt condolences to all those who have lost their lives.Like any other country, the PCB stands firmly with the KNCB and hope theywill be able to overcome this crisis.”
“The Pakistan national cricket teams have always enjoyed touring theNetherlands and as soon as things return to normal, the PCB will engagewith the KNCB to reschedule the tour so that we can fulfil our obligation.
Read Top Stories
“The Pakistan national men’s cricket team’s tours to Ireland, for twoTwenty20 Internationals, and England, for three Tests and three Twenty20Internationals, are on track at this stage. We are keeping a watching briefand are in contact with our counterparts in Dublin and London,respectively. As is always the case, the PCB will be happy to be guided bythe hosts on the upcoming tours but without compromising on the health andsafety of its players and team support personnel.”
Betty Timmer, Chair of KNCB, said: “It is extremely disappointing that wewon’t be able to host any international cricket in the Netherlands thissummer. However, the health and safety of the players, staff and fans isour main priority, and in that light the ban on events by the Dutchgovernment is understandable.”
“We truly hope that by next season the situation is under control again, sowe can host the Super League series against England, Ireland and the WestIndies as planned. We would love to welcome back all cricket fans on ourgrounds in the summer of 2021.” – Sputnik
