Pakistan PM Khan points accusing finger at England after controversial tour snub

Pakistan Prime Minister and former cricket captain Imran Khan has slammed England over their decision to cancel their tour of the country.

The England men's and women's teams were set to visit Pakistan for a joint tour this month, with the men's side due to play two T20Is ahead of the T20 World Cup and the women's team scheduled to play two T20Is and three ODIs.

However, the ECB scrapped the tour last month, citing "the mental and physical well-being of our players and support staff".

The decision did not go down well, especially after the British High Commission they "did not advise against it on security grounds", and it ultimately led to ECB chairman Ian Watmore stepping down.

Now, Khan has criticised England over the cancellation, telling Middle East Eye: "I think England let itself down.

"I think that there is still this feeling in England that they do a great favour to play with countries like Pakistan.

"One of the reasons is, obviously, the money. Money is a big player now, for the players as well as for the cricket boards.

"The money lies in India, so basically, India controls world cricket now. Whatever they say goes.

"No one would dare do to India what England did to Pakistan because they know about the sums involved and that India can produce much more money for them."

West Indies legend Michael Holding accused the ECB of showing "western arrogance" by scrapping the tour.

"Nobody wants to come forward and face up to anything because they know what they did was wrong," Holding said.

"What that signal sends to me, is the same western arrogance. I will treat you how I feel like treating you, it doesn’t matter what you think, I’ll just do what I want.

"Four days in Pakistan? I’m absolutely sure they wouldn’t have done that to India, because India is rich and powerful."

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