ECB is under fire from all quarters for cancelling the tour of Pakistan. England and Wales Cricket Board who to date was shielding themselves by claiming that the tour was cancelled only after discussion with the players – are now embarrassed by their own team.
The England cricketers’ union has denied rumours of players having a role in the England and Wales Cricket Board cancelling next month’s tour of Pakistan. Much to the dismay of the PCB, its counterparts abandoned the visit, citing potential bio-bubble exhaustion. However, news has emerged that the England and Wales Cricket Board did not ask the cricketers if they wanted to play in Pakistan.
ECB Never Asked Players’ Opinions Before Pak Tour Cancellation: Team England Player Partnership (TEPP)
Moreover, the players’ union’s official statement debunked rumours of its intervention to stop the Pakistan tour from going ahead. A TEPP official said that the ECB hadn’t even consulted with the players before abandoning the series. The association also denied claims of the players’ refusal to tour Pakistan.
“At no stage has the ECB ever asked Team England Player Partnership or the teams, men and women, whether the tour should go ahead or whether players were prepared to tour Pakistan. At no stage has Team England Player Partnership informed the ECB that the players would not be touring.”
After the ECB announced its decision, its counterparts were furious, especially PCB chairman Ramiz Raja. Ramiz Raja was disappointed in England for failing to return the favour they did to them in 2020 by touring the nation under challenging circumstances arising due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) cited “increasing concerns about travelling to the region” just days after New Zealand also pulled out of the Pakistan tour over security concerns. The T20I bilateral series was supposed to be part of the preparation ahead of the next month’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. New Zealand pulled out of their Pakistan tour even before play started in the 1st ODI in Rawalpindi.
ECB Met Last Sunday To Debate The Pakistan Tour And Information Of The Cancelled Tour Came In The Afternoon: Team England Player Partnership (TEPP)
The spokesperson further revealed that the ECB met on Sunday and decided to cancel the tour, informing them in the afternoon. Hence, the players did not influence the apex body’s decision. After New Zealand, England calls off the Pakistan tour due to security concerns.
“The ECB board met last Sunday to debate the tour to Pakistan. That afternoon we were informed the tour had been cancelled. Team England Player Partnership was not asked for our input and we were not involved in the decision to cancel the tour.”
After the ECB scrapped next month’s tour, the PCB has started making contingency plans ahead of its scheduled home series against England in 2022. Ramiz Raja has already expressed his lack of faith in the ECB, given England’s multi-format series in Pakistan in October 2022.