Cricket: Blackcaps to take chartered flight back to New Zealand after Pakistan tour cancellation

Local media reports say the Blackcaps will return home on a chartered flight, via the United Arab Emirates (UAE), after the shock end to their first Pakistan tour in 18 years.

Pakistan Cricket Board chief executive Wasim Khan was not immediately available to elaborate, while a New Zealand team spokesman has declined to share travel plans.

Top teams have largely shunned Pakistan after an attack by Islamist militants on the Sri Lanka team bus at Lahore in 2009, killing six policemen and two civilians, and there are fears New Zealand's decision to leave will keep them away.

England are already reconsidering their limited-overs trip to Pakistan next month, while Australia, who are scheduled to visit in February-March next year, also appear wary.

A Cricket Australia spokesperson says the organisation is monitoring the situation and would "talk with the relevant authorities once more information becomes known".

The PCB was already staring at "financial losses in millions", the Dawn newspaper reports.

"This is a blow to the efforts the PCB, the government and the security agencies had been making to fully restore international cricket in Pakistan," the Dawn quotes an unidentified PCB official.

Pakistan may now have to play 'home' matches again in the United Arab Emirates, with current and former players already dreading that prospect.

"NZ just killed Pakistan cricket," tweets former test bowler Shoaib Akhtar.

Pace bowler Mohammad Amir also criticises New Zealand in a tweet for abandoning the tour.

"hi new Zealand might b we as a Pakistani will forgive u because we are a loving nation but this act will bite u in future for sure." 

Reuters