Pakistan team racially abused in New Zealand

The PCB was today planning to lodge a formal complaint with the ICC claiming the national team was racially abused on the final day of the third and final Test against New Zealand in Napier.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was Tuesday planning to lodge a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) claiming the national team was racially abused on the final day of the third and final Test against New Zealand in Napier.

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PCB chairman Ijaz Butt said he is yet to receive any complaint from the team management regarding the ugly incident. “I will only contact the ICC after getting a formal complaint from the team management,” Butt told Geo Super.

A brother of New Zealand MP Chris Tremain and his 17 friends chanted slogans of ‘Pakistani terrorists’ from a corporate box at McLean Park, media reports said.

A sign saying “no racist comments please” was displayed on the park’s scoreboard about 5 p.m.

According to New Zealand media reports, a corporate box hired by a brother of National MP Chris Tremain was refused alcohol after racial abuse was hurled at Pakistani cricketers.

Mark Tremain, 38, younger brother of the Napier MP and son of rugby legend Kel Tremain, hired the family company Tremain Real Estate’s corporate box for themselves Saturday, the second day of the Pakistan-New Zealand test.

Spectator Bill Stacey, of Clive, said he was embarrassed by the group’s “drunken stupidity” and the racist comments, which included shouts of “Pakistani terrorists”.

Chris Tremain, who is a director and shareholder in Tremain Real Estate, said: “Clearly what happened is unacceptable.”
NZ Cricket public affairs manager Stephen Hill said staff took action as soon as they heard of racist insults. “Our security staff were on the ball and they took steps to resolve the situation, and got them to modify their comments.”

Rain dampens tight finish
Steady rain forced the intriguingly poised final Test between Pakistan and New Zealand to end in a draw. New Zealand were going well on the final day, having reached 90 for no in pursuit of 208 from a minimum of 43 overs.

Craig Watling, unbeaten on 60, led New Zealand’s charge even as rain washed out play and left the interesting series squared at 1-1.

Brief scores: Pakistan 223and 455 drew with New Zealand 471 and 90 for 0