Islamabad Police has reportedly eaten Biryani worth Rs. 2.7 million during the eight-day tour of the New Zealand cricket team to Pakistan.
Over 500 policemen were deployed for duty in Islamabad and Rawalpindi including five SPs and SSPs who were leading the team. According to the reports, Policemen were served Biryani, twice a day. The Finance Division, however, has not cleared the bill yet. Moreover, the Rs2.7million bill does not include the food bill of the Frontier Constabulary personnel.
Pakistan Cricket Board has suffered huge financial loss after New Zealand called off the series last minute on an alleged security threat.
The decision was taken by New Zealand Cricket following “escalation in the New Zealand Government threat levels for Pakistan.” On the advice of the New Zealand cricket security advisors, the team will not play the match in Pakistan. Instead, it will now return to New Zealand.
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The tour, comprising three ODIs and five T20Is, was supposed to start on Friday, with the first ODI in Rawalpindi. However, neither team left their hotel on the morning of the game. Authorities did not even allow spectators to enter the stadium.
The NZC said they “will not comment on the details of the security threat nor the updated arrangements for the departing squad”.
Read more: No security threat in Pakistan: PM Khan assures New Zealand
“I understand this will be a blow for the PCB, who have been wonderful hosts, but player safety is paramount. We believe this is the only responsible option,” NZC chief executive David White said in the statement.
The Pakistan Cricket Board, meanwhile, stated they and the government of Pakistan made “foolproof security arrangements” and are still willing to hold the match.
The decision caused a major upset in Pakistan. Amid the disappointment, Pakistanis called the decision an embarrassment for the country.
Read more: New Zealand’s Matt Henry seeks suggestions for local cuisine of Pakistan
According to Pakistani cricket fans, the decision is absurd as the government took all necessary measures. Moreover, the New Zealand team stayed in Pakistan for more than a week. The last-minute decision to call off the match is preposterous.