We had one team in our target, our neighbors (India), now add NZ and ENG – Ramiz Raja

Ramiz Raja, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, says the “western bloc” seems united after England became the second country to refuse to play in Pakistan.

“I am severely disappointed in England’s withdrawal but it was expected because this western bloc gets united unfortunately and tries to back each other,” Ramiz said in a video message.

The England and Wales Cricket Board withdrew its men’s and women’s teams from a tour of Pakistan for a limited-overs series next month, citing increased concerns about travelling to the region. It also cited player fatigue ahead of the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

New Zealand abandoned its tour to Pakistan last week moments before the toss for the first ODI at Rawalpindi. It did not give details of any security threats it had received.

“There was a sense of anger because first New Zealand got away without sharing information about the threat they were facing,” said Raja, who took over as the PCB chairman on Sept. 13.

“This (England) decision was expected but this is a lesson for us because we go out of our way to accommodate and pamper these sides when they visit.”

“We had one team in our target, our neighbours (India), now add two more teams, New Zealand and England,” Raja said.