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NZ vs PAK: Pakistan squad handed final warning after six test COVID-19 positive


As many as six members of the Pakistan senior men’s touring part have tested positive for the coronavirus infection upon landing in New Zealand. While four of these cases are new to be reported, the other two have been termed ‘historic’ in a New Zealand Cricket’s release. “NZC was made aware today that six members of the Pakistan touring squad, currently in managed isolation in Christchurch, have tested positive for COVID-19. Two of these six results have been deemed ‘historical, four have been confirmed as new,” New Zealand Cricket said in its release.

Health officials in New Zealand are in no mood to unravel coronavirus situation in the country after eradicating the virus from their shores and they have taken full cognisance of the breaching of the coronavirus rules and have issued a ‘final warning’ to the touring side to stick to rules in order to keep the country and staff safe from Covid-19. They have also mandated that each member will be subjected to stringent quarantine in their designated rooms while also going through four rounds of Covid-19 tests.

"The team as a whole has been issued with a final warning. 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 top health official Ashley Bloomfield.

New Zealand health ministry has said that it has observed team members dishonouring protocols on CCTV despite a series of ‘clear, consistent and detailed communication of expected behaviours.’

As per the provisions of the coronavirus containment protocols in the country, Pakistan players and all members of the touring contingent had to go through four rounds of Covid-19 testing before starting their training period. 

These cases have emerged in the first round of testing conducted immediately after arrival in the country and therefore the team has been barred from training while under isolation which was exempted before the current development. Persons who tested positive will be shifted to a separate facility in Christchurch.

This means that, in line with the protocols governing the squad’s entry into New Zealand, the six members of the squad will be moved to the quarantine arm of the managed isolation facility. As a consequence, the Pakistan team’s exemption to train while in managed isolation has been put on hold until investigations have been completed,” NZC appraised.

Reportedly, all members of the Pakistan team including the support staff were allowed to board the plane to New Zealand only after four rounds of negative results from Covid-19 testing. As a result of the process, opener Fakhar Zaman was ruled out of the tour after developing symptoms.

Additionally, NZC also said that they got the notice of some members of the touring party having breached the coronavirus related containment protocols. NZC said that they will hold discussions with the Pakistan team to make them aware of the requirement of isolation and subsequent restrictions in the wake of Covid-19.

“NZC has also been made aware that some members of the Pakistan team had contravened protocols on the first day of managed isolation. We will be having discussions with the tourists to assist them in understanding the requirements,” the board said in its release.

Pakistan and New Zealand are set to play a three-match T20 series starting December 18 followed by a two-match Test series starting December 26. Pakistan senior men’s team is also accompanied by Pakistan A team which will play two four-day games on the tour starting December 10 and December 17.

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Australia vs India | 1st ODI: Match Preview, Predicted XI & Dream11 Fantasy Picks

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I think Marcus Stoinis has proved that as well with the amount of exposure he's had over the past couple of years bowling at the death, it's really important for us and it gives us a lot of flexibility in there. In England, we had the three allrounders with Mitch (Marsh) so you can dissect the 10 overs a little bit easier, I guess. You're still expecting when that fifth bowler is, or the combination of all-rounders are, bowling that minimum 10 overs that they're still having an impact on the game," Finch said on the eve of the first game. Strongest XI Aaron Finch (Captain), David Warner, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (WK), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa India India will miss Rohit Sharma’s reliability at the top of the order but an in-form Mayank Agarwal could answer the clarion call by Virat Kohli to provide a solid start to the batting lineup. Kohli himself will hope for getting back to his best form as soon as possible as he will have limited opportunity to leave his mark on the series and tour and lead the team from the front. Hardik Pandya is most likely to retain his batting position down the order based on his unbelievable displays of big-hitting capabilities in the IPL. Carrying on from the cash-rich tournament, he will play as a specialist batsman. Hardik’s lack of bowling will mean India will have to choose one among Shreyas Iyer and Manish Pandey for the perpetually contentious number four spot which will be followed by KL Rahul at the number five. Hardik’s unavailability with the ball will alter the composition of bowling lineup as well as the team management will be reluctant to not use the services of Ravindra Jadeja who has been at his peak with the bat while his bowling may come handy at the big grounds in Australia. 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