Former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar criticized New Zealand Cricket (NZC) for threatening deportation to the Pakistani cricket team. Six members of the Pakistan cricket team, who are on tour in New Zealand, tested positive for COVID-19. In light of the situation, the New Zealand Ministry of Health has warned the Pakistan team that they will be sent home if they do not follow Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).
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Attacking the NZC in a YouTube video, Akhtar said that it is not a club team but a national cricket team. The fast bowler said that Pakistan’s cricket is not over and they don’t need New Zealand.
He added that the money from the broadcasting rights will go to New Zealand, so they should be in debt to Pakistan for having decided to tour their country in such difficult times.
“You’re talking about Pakistan, the biggest country on the planet, so behave yourself and stop making that statement. Be careful next time. The Pakistan team now needs to crush them in the T20 series,” he said.
Akhtar also expressed his views on what the Pakistan Cricket Board should do in response to New Zealand Cricket. He said PCB should show some toughness and make a statement about the incident.
“If I was in your place, I would have given a statement saying that if New Zealand Cricket is not happy, we will not play against them and we will bring our team back and we will not play against you for five years,” he added. he affirmed.
The fast launcher also criticized PCB for sending players on a commercial flight. He said PCB sent the players on a chartered flight for the England tour, but this time the Pakistan team traveled first to Dubai, then to Kuala Lampur and from there to Auckland.
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The New Zealand Health Ministry has said that players will now be tested “a minimum of four times while in controlled isolation” and that each player must remain confined to their room.
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