Karachi: Former West Indies pacer Michael Holding has heavily criticized England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) over the cancellation of the scheduled tour of Pakistan, saying it smacks of ‘western arrogance’.

England men and women were each due to play in October – but withdrew from the tour last month, citing players’ welfare reasons.

“What that signal sends to me is the same western arrogance,” said Holding while receiving Peter Smith Award.

Read: Buttler admits it’s shame England’s tour to Pakistan was called off

“I will treat you how I feel like treating you – it doesn’t matter what you think, I will just do what I want.”

“Four days in Pakistan [was all they would have spent], I am absolutely sure they would not have done that to India.”

“You know why? Because India is rich and powerful. I am in total agreement with Mike Atherton and [cricket writer] George Dobell, who wrote articles condemning England and the ECB,” he added.

Holding reminded ECB about Pakistan’s last tour of England during COVID-19 peak.

“They were going for four days. Pakistan went to England [in 2020] before vaccines were available for six, seven weeks, something like that. They stayed, they played their cricket, they were in that bubble.”

“I was in that bubble and it wasn’t fantastic but it was better than going out into society, where we know Covid was and without any vaccinations available to anyone.”

“They stayed, they played, and honoured what England wanted them to honour, and now you have an opportunity to try and repay them to a small degree.”

Also read: ‘Watmore’s apology raised more questions than answers’ Mike Atherton