In part one of a two-part series, the chairman of selectors talks to the BBC Sport website about the forthcoming one-day series in Pakistan.

Craig McMillan was one of four players who refused to tour

Q. As a player who took an immense amount of pride in representing New Zealand, what are your thoughts about the members of the current squad who opted out of the tour to Pakistan?

A. Each player was given the option by NZC to tour Pakistan without recriminations. We must respect the players' decisions.

People must understand that if a player is not comfortable in a certain environment, he is unlikely to perform to his best. Players need to be focused and if there are security issues where a player does not feel safe, he is better staying at home.

In the past, NZ teams have seen at first-hand great tragedies that will have a lasting impression on their lives.

The tour of Sri Lanka in 1987 was aborted after the first Test due to a bomb blast that killed hundreds. In 1992, several players including the coach returned home after a bomb blast but the tour continued with replacement players.

The bomb blast in Karachi last year was a telling blow for many players who were so close to the carnage - some of their hotel room windows were shattered. They cannot be blamed for wanting to stay at home.

Q. Will their decision have any impact on their future prospects of playing for the national team?

A. NZC have said the players will not be penalised for not going - I assume financially etc. However, the players who have relinquished their positions in the team to those who want to go could create potential problems for the selectors in the future.

Revised tour itinerary

If several of the new players perform, they will need to be considered for future matches. Surely that is fair and reasonable. No one is guaranteed automatic selection.

There may now be a lot more competition for places which will create more depth and choices in our game through an opportunity and exposure to international cricket. For every negative, there may well be a positive.

Chris Cairns (left) will lead the Kiwis in Pakistan

Q. There are several unfamiliar names in the Black Caps squad - does this mean that judgments on whether the tour has been a success or failure will be made on the basis of performances rather than results?

Yes. The main objectives of this tour are to fulfil our obligations to Pakistan cricket and make the tour happen, win a match (perhaps a couple of games), be competitive and create an opportunity for all the players to play some cricket.

The selectors would like to see all the players have at least a couple of games with the top order batsmen likely to play in all five matches. Some of the bowlers may have to be rested and rotated with five matches in eight days - it is a short but tough tour.

The new players will have a point to prove - their opportunity to represent NZ at this level in one-day cricket will have come earlier than expected. These players will find out a lot about themselves, the opposition and what touring is like in Asian-type conditions.

With all of NZ watching the matches on television that may lift them and hopefully we may produce a couple of young heroes. If they can solve some of our concerns with the top order batting and bowling 'at the death' then the tour will have been successful.

Everyone is aware and realistic enough to know that is difficult for teams like NZ to win in sub-continent conditions. This will be a great test for the team mentally, physically and technically.

Read more of Sir Richard Hadlee's views on the tour on Tuesday.