NZ vs PAK: Six members of Pakistan squad test positive for COVID-19 in New Zealand
A huge Pakistan contingent reached New Zealand a couple of days ago for their upcoming T20I and Test tour. All the touring members were tested negative on four occasions for the virus before leaving Pakistan. However, upon reaching the Kiwi country, six of them have tested positive for Coronavirus which has clearly hampered the proceedings of the tour.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has been made aware of the same while the COVID positive members of Pakistan are now isolated from the rest of the squad. Rather two out of six results are deemed historical by NZC while four are new confirmed cases. These members will now be moved to quarantine arm of the managed isolation facility in Christchurch and will be kept under isolation.
JUST IN: Six members of the Pakistan squad that travelled to New Zealand have tested positive for COVID-19.
Two of the six results have been deemed “historical” while four are confirmed as new.#NZvPAK pic.twitter.com/GP1pAR4cK7
— ICC (@ICC) November 26, 2020
Pakistan’s training while in quarantine put on hold
The official website of NZC confirmed the news of six members of Pakistan contingent being tested positive for COVID-19. As its consequence, the visitors’ exemption to train while in quarantine has been put on hold while the matter is being investigated.
It has also been reported that some of the members of the touring party contravened protocols on the first day of quarantine itself after reaching New Zealand. The board officials are now expected to have discussions with Pakistan players and the support staff to help them in understanding the requirements. NZC has also cleared that they will support the Ministry of Health and Government in this case and act accordingly.
Pakistan are scheduled to play two four-day warm-up matches from December 10 with the second game clashing with two T20Is of the three-match series starting on December 18. We might see only the Test specialists take part in the second warm-up game in that case. The two-match Test series will then commence on December 26 (Boxing Day Test) with the second and final game of the tour to be played at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
With names of the players testing positive for COVID-19 of the touring party not being revealed, Pakistan will hope that they recover just in time.
