Raja: We’ll bounce back from tour cut

NEW ZEALAND’S abrupt decision to pull out of their cricket tour of Pakistan has created “an unfortunate scenario” said Ramiz Raja (below), chairman of the country’s cricket board.

“We’ve faced similar situations in the past and have always overcome them,” he said.

“My message to the team is – vent your anger and frustration through your performance on the field.”

New Zealand abandoned the tour on the day of the opening fixture on Friday citing a security alert, while England are also reconsidering their men’s and women’s team visits to Pakistan next month.

The top sides have largely shunned Pakistan in the wake of an attack by Islamist militants on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009 that killed eight people, and there are fears New Zealand’s decision to leave will keep them away. Pakistan may now have to play “home” matches again in the United Arab Emirates, a prospect that has angered former Test bowler Shoaib Akhtar.

He tweeted: “NZ just killed Pakistan cricket.”