Pakistan's cricket authorities have reacted with disappointment at the news of New Zealand's decision to cancel their tour as a result of the terrorist atrocities in the United States of America. "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," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) director Brigadier Munawwar Rana was reported as saying in the Times of India. "The events are beyond our control, but we hope that once the situation clears, we can manage to host New Zealand for a short tour."

The decision by New Zealand Cricket was reached after consultation with security experts. They were advised that Pakistan's proximity to Afghanistan made it unsafe, despite assurances to the contrary from the PCB. "They took the advice of various foreign affairs departments around the world and told us that all travel to Pakistan should be cancelled for the next seven days", Rana said.

He added that he remained optimistic that some games could still be salvaged. "I talked to New Zealand Cricket Board chief executive Martin Snedden early on Thursday morning and he used the word postponement."

Rana insisted that the venues were safe. "The public never indulges in disturbances. It would be a great disappointment for them not to see good cricket."

But Snedden was unconvinced by safeguards given by the PCB. "As soon as it became obvious that the risks were tangible rather than imagined, it was an easy decision to come home," he said.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd