Rachin Ravindra and returning Kane Williamson played key knocks as New Zealand chased down 345 to thrash Pakistan by five wickets in a World Cup warm-up match on Friday. Read more on TOI
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The "Cricket New Zealand war" refers to a controversial incident that took place in 1981 when the New Zealand national cricket team toured South Africa during the apartheid era. At that time, South Africa was internationally isolated due to its policy of racial segregation, which led to widespread protests and boycotts from various countries. The United Nations had called for a sporting boycott of South Africa, urging countries to sever all sporting ties with the country. New Zealand's decision to tour South Africa despite the boycott resulted in a significant backlash both domestically and internationally. The tour divided the nation, with many people supporting the tour as a means to promote sportsmanship and separate politics from sports. Others, however, saw it as a violation of the apartheid boycott and a tacit endorsement of the South African government's discriminatory policies. Protests erupted throughout New Zealand during the tour, with demonstrations and picket lines at cricket grounds. The most infamous incident occurred during a match between New Zealand and the African XI in Hamilton, where a small plane flew over the ground trailing a banner that read, "NO MAORIS, NO TOUR." The controversy surrounding the tour had long-lasting effects. The New Zealand cricket team was subsequently banned from competing in international cricket until 1991, missing out on several major tournaments. The government also faced criticism for allowing the tour to proceed despite the sporting boycott. The Cricket New Zealand war represents a significant chapter in New Zealand's sporting history, highlighting the complex relationship between sports and politics. It remains a contentious topic, with ongoing discussions and debates about the ethics of participating in sporting events in countries with questionable human rights records.