Pakistan squad on their arrival in Christchurch, New Zealand (Courtesy: Twitter / TheRealPCB)
Pakistani cricketers have been offered a “final warning” by New Zealand authorities right after six players tested constructive for Coronavirus and 3 or 4 breaches of protocol have been reported from the Pakistan camp in New Zealand, reports mentioned.
New Zealand’s Director-common of overall health Dr Ashley Bloomfield was quoted by the regional news supply stuff.co.nz as saying that the Pakistan group had been offered a final warning and told to stick to the established COVID-19 protocols. She was quoted saying that the teams need to stick to the guidelines that have been place in location to preserve Coronavirus out of the communities. A “final warning” had been issued to the whole Pakistan group, she confirmed.
Calling the incident an “embarrassment”, PCB CEO Wasim Khan stepped in and warned the Pakistani players that they would be sent back property if the protocol was breached once more, ESPNCricinfo reported. In a message to the squad’s WhatsApp group Khan mentioned that the challenge was a “matter of national pride and credibility”. He urged the players to observe the period of isolation right after which they would be “free to visit restaurants and hotels”.
Former Pakistan speedy bowler Shoaib Akhtar, nonetheless, retorted to the warning issued by the New Zealand authorities in a video, and mentioned that this wasn’t a “club team” that the NZ authorities have been warning, but the Pak national cricket group. In a rant Shoaib went onto criticize Kiwi authorities saying they would be the ones finding the “broadcast rights money” and Pakistan cricket wasn’t “desperate for money”.
The Pakistan cricket group is in New Zealand for a tour consisting 3 ODIs and two Test matches, and are scheduled to be playing two tour matches starting December 10. After landing in New Zealand on Tuesday, the guests are on a 14-day quarantine right after which they’ll be cost-free to leave the isolation.