Six Pakistani Squad Members Test Positive For Covid in NZ

Six Pakistani squad members have tested positive for the Covid-19 in New Zealand where they are currently in for the upcoming matches due in December.

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,” said the New Zealand Cricket on its official website.

Two of these six results have been deemed “historical”; four have been confirmed as new, it added,

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, the statement read further.

As a consequence, the Pakistan team’s exemption to train while in managed isolation has been put on hold until investigations have been completed.

While this is disappointing for the Pakistan squad, the testing outcomes and the actions taken show the Government system is working.

Prior to leaving Lahore, all members of the Pakistan touring squad returned negative results on the four occasions they were tested, it said.

Separately, 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.

NZC considers public health and safety to be paramount in the hosting of international teams, and is supportive of the Ministry of Health and Government position, it added.

Earlier, over the weekend, Pakistan’s squad of 35 members had traveled for New Zealand, barring only opener Fakhar Zaman who could not travel due to high fever.

Pakistan will play two Tests and three T20s while Shaheens will also play two four-day and three T20 matches against New Zealand ‘A’. Pakistan’s T20 series will commence from Dec 18 and the Test series will start from Dec 26.

Babar Azam is leading Pakistan in all formats, including Tests, for the first time after having replaced Azhar Ali in the longer version of the game.