English players were not asked before calling off the Pakistan tour: Richard Bevan

English players were not asked before calling off the Pakistan tour: Richard Bevan.

Richard Bevan, chairman of Team England Player Partnership (TEPP), has openly stated that the English players were not asked for their inputs by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) before calling off the upcoming Pakistan tour.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) received two back to back shockers after New Zealand and England decided to abruptly cancel the scheduled tours of Pakistan.

Earlier, New Zealand pulled out of the Pakistan limited-overs series minutes before the toss of the opening match at Rawalpindi owing to the possible threats to the security of the players. 

Not more than four days after New Zealand pull out, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) followed a similar suit to withdraw from England Men?s and Women?s tour of Pakistan citing players physical and mental wellbeing.

Team England Player Partnership (TEPP), which apparently represents English cricketers, informed that the players were not approached for their consent for the Pakistan tour.

"At no stage did TEPP inform the ECB that the players would not be touring," TEPP chair Richard Bevan told the website ESPNcricinfo in an article published on Friday.

ALSO READ: IPL 2022 Mega Auction Details, 10 IPL Teams, New Rules: All you need to know

"At no stage has the ECB ever asked TEPP or the teams, men and women, whether the tour should go ahead or whether players were prepared to tour Pakistan.

"It is 100% incorrect to suggest TEPP intervened to say the players would not tour."

2009 Attack on Sri Lankan Cricketers Bus:

The cricket playing nations shunned Pakistan for almost the decade after the horrifying attack on Sri Lankan cricketer?s bus in Lahore. However, Pakistan, leaving behind its past, was wooing back at international circuits as the country was about to host top cricket teams in their backyard, bringing moments of joy for their fans.

The backout of two cricket boards will affect the Pakistani players and the overall image of Pakistan as a cricket playing nation. The setback will be huge as the consequences of the two recent incidents could take Pakistan nearly a decade in the past where they were left after the 2009 attack on Sri Lankan cricketers bus.

The PCB has criticised the ECB and NZC for their cruel and betrayal act and has challenged the two aforementioned to meet at ICC.

ALSO READ: VIVO IPL 2021: DC Vs RR Scorecard Today Match 36, playing XI, Live Updates, and The Winner is!?