England have withdrawn from their tour of Pakistan in October owing to increasing concerns around travel to the region.
A limited-overs trip for England's men's and women's teams in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup was confirmed earlier this year, however the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced it had decided to cancel the tour.
The ECG cited concerns around traveling to the Asian nation and that doing so could "add further pressure to a playing group who have already coped with a long period of operating in restricted Covid environments."
It comes just three days after New Zealand abandoned plans to play three one-day internationals and five Twenty20s in Pakistan later this month due to security concerns.
"The ECB has a longstanding commitment to tour Pakistan as part of the Men's Future Tours Programme in 2022," a statement from the governing body read.
"Earlier this year, we agreed to play two additional T20 World Cup warm-up games in Pakistan in October, adding a short women's tour with double headers alongside the men's games.
"The ECB Board convened this weekend to discuss these extra England Women's and Men's games in Pakistan and we can confirm that the Board has reluctantly decided to withdraw both teams from the October trip.
"The mental and physical well-being of our players and support staff remains our highest priority and this is even more critical given the times we are currently living in. We know there are increasing concerns about travelling to the region and believe that going ahead will add further pressure to a playing group who have already coped with a long period of operating in restricted Covid environments.
"There is the added complexity for our Men's T20 squad. We believe that touring under these conditions will not be ideal preparation for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, where performing well remains a top priority for 2021.
"We understand that this decision will be a significant disappointment to the PCB, who have worked tirelessly to host the return of international cricket in their country. Their support of English and Welsh cricket over the last two summers has been a huge demonstration of friendship. We are sincerely sorry for the impact this will have on cricket in Pakistan and emphasise an ongoing commitment to our main touring plans there for 2022."
It has also been revealed the ECG received a "threatening email" in relation to their women's team, who are on tour in the UK currently.
New Zealand Cricket said the threat was treated seriously but deemed not credible, with security around their women's side to be heightened for the third ODI against England.
"As has been reported, the ECB have received a threatening email relating to NZC," an NZC statement read.
"Although this did not specifically reference the WHITE FERNS it was treated seriously, investigated, and deemed not credible.
"The WHITE FERNS have now arrived in Leicester and, as a precaution, security around them has been boosted.
"Reports their training has been cancelled are false. They were not scheduled to train today as it was a travelling day.
"NZC will not be commenting further on the matter."
England's withdrawal from the Pakistan tour has now placed doubts of Australia's trip to the nation, which is scheduled for February-March next year.
Meanwhile, the announcement to abandon their upcoming tour sparked an immediate and angered response from Pakistan officials.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja took to Twitter, saying: "Disappointed with England, pulling out of their commitment & failing a member of their Cricket fraternity when it needed it most. Survive we will inshallah. A wake up call for Pak team to become the best team in the world for teams to line up to play them without making excuses."
Disappointed with England, pulling out of their commitment & failing a member of their Cricket fraternity when it needed it most. Survive we will inshallah. A wake up call for Pak team to become the best team in the world for teams to line up to play them without making excuses.
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) September 20, 2021