Cricket: New Zealand stand-in skipper Tom Latham recounts team’s departure from Pakistan

New Zealand’s stand-in skipper Tom Latham on Tuesday expressed disappointment at missing a “historic moment” after his team were forced to abandon their first cricket tour of Pakistan in 18 years.

The Kiwis called off the tour over a security threat on Friday – the same day they were due to play the first one-day international in Rawalpindi.

“To be part of that was going to be something special, but obviously things changed, and New Zealand Cricket acted pretty swiftly along with the people on the ground in Pakistan,” said Latham in an interview released by New Zealand Cricket.

Latham said his counterpart, Pakistan captain Babar Azam, had been very excited about the tour.

“To have cricket back in their country was something that they were very proud of. I remember doing the captain’s run with Azam the day before and seeing how happy he was to have international cricket and to have us there.

“It was a historic moment as well for New Zealand Cricket to be back there, 18 years since they were last there.”

But the New Zealand squad were whisked off to Dubai on Saturday.

Latham said it was a confusing series of events.

“It was like a normal game day. We were leaving at 12:30, and then I got a message…

Read more