New Zealand Cricket bring TelstraClear Black Caps home from Pakistan

Following the explosion of a bomb outside the TelstraClear Black Caps team hotel New Zealand Cricket has decided to bring the team home from Pakistan.

The team will fly out of Pakistan this evening and will arrive in Auckland at 10.20am on Friday 10 May.

Chief Executive of New Zealand Cricket, Martin Snedden, spoke with team manager Jeff Crowe and team coach Denis Aberhart within an hour of the explosion and confirmed with them that all members of the team were safe and well.

"From the information we have to date it seems that a bomb exploded in a commuter bus on the road outside the team hotel. The damage to the Pearl Intercontinental Hotel is confined to the front of the hotel where the windows were shattered.

"The explosion occurred close to the time the team were due to depart for the National Stadium but, in line with the security plan, the team bus was situated in a secure car park. Most of the team had yet to leave their rooms although the team physiotherapist, Dayle Shackel, received a minor cut to his forearm from flying glass.

"The team management has indicated that the team would like to leave Pakistan and New Zealand Cricket has made arrangements for their departure this evening.

"I have spoken to Brigadier Rana of the Pakistan Cricket Board and conveyed our decision to him. Our main priority now is bring the players home safely to their families," Snedden said.