Pakistan women's tour of Zimbabwe called off after flight suspension
The Pakistan Cricket Board, on Thursday (February 11), called off their women's national team's ongoing tour of Zimbabwe due to operational reasons after only one game could be played.
"Following Emirates Airlines' announcement of their flight operations suspension on the Harare-Dubai sector from 13 to 28 February, both the boards have decided to end the tour," Pakistan Cricket Board stated in a release. The team will leave Zimbabwe on February 12.
Pakistan were set to play three one-dayers and three T20 internationals on this tour of Zimbabwe, as a part of the preparation for the 2021 World Cup qualifiers, of which both teams are set to be a part. "It has been a difficult decision considering Zimbabwe Cricket had put in place excellent arrangements for the series," Wasim Khan, the PCB chief, said. "But the decision by the Emirates Airlines to suspend all flights to and from Harare from 13 February to 28 February has meant that we have to bring the squad back in the next 24 hours.
"We thank Zimbabwe Cricket for their understanding and support, and hope to return at some stage to complete this additional tour."
"It is unfortunate that the Pakistan Women's team have had to cut short their stay in Zimbabwe as a precautionary move after some unforeseen air travel complications arose, but their concern is understandable," Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director Givemore Makoni said.
"Nonetheless, we would like to thank the PCB for having in the first place committed to the historic tour which we have no doubt would have been memorable and a massive boost for our women's game had it not been discontinued. We hope to host them again in the near future."
Despite the women's tour getting abandoned, the upcoming tour by the men's national team to Zimbabwe in April, as part of the Future Tours Programme, hasn't been affected. They are slated to play two Tests and three T20Is. However, PCB stated that they "will continue to monitor the flight and Covid-19 situation."
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