Cricket in New Zealand has finally restarted and they’ve lined a couple of series against West Indies and Pakistan. Fans were excited with the prospect of international matches back in the country. However, there a mammoth of a problem in front of the New Zealand board before their series against Pakistan.
The Pakistan cricket team touched base in New Zealand with a 35-member squad this year for the much anticipated New Zealand vs Pakistan 2020 series. Pakistani cricket team were serving their quarantine period in Christchurch when six of their players got tested positive for COVID-19.
Out of the six cricketers who have tested positive, four cases are deemed to be new ones, whereas two are stated to be historical. None of the players have been named so far in an official press release by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Thursday.
Pakistan Players Were Seen Breaching Isolation Rules
“Several team members have been seen on CCTV at the facility breaching managed isolation rules, despite clear, consistent and detailed communication of expected behaviors”. revealed by the ministry. “The team as a whole has been issued with a final warning,” press release by NAZ stated.
“It is a privilege to come to New Zealand to play sport, but in return, teams must stick to the rules that are designed to keep COVID-19 out of our communities and keep our staff safe,” said health official Ashley Bloomfield.
The Pakistani team, who were permitted to train during their quarantine period, will no longer be granted permission to practice until the investigation regarding the positive cases is complete. The two sides will battle it out in a 3-match T20I series, which will be followed by two Test matches. Prolific batsman Babar Azam will be captaining the Test side of the red ball cricket who has already been a captain of ODIs and T20 side.
Pakistan’s opener Fakhar Zaman was ruled out because of the persistent fever even before arriving on Kiwi soil. However, the left-hander tested negative along with the rest of the squad. The tour, with three Twenty20 internationals and two Tests, is scheduled to begin with the opening T20 on December 18 in Auckland.
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