[ad_1]
Gareth Copley / Getty Images
Pakistan coach Misbah-ul-Haq said they wanted to continue playing for their fans at home.
Pakistan considered abandoning their cricket tour of New Zealand while in quarantine for 14 days and coach Misbah-ul-Haq says they chose to stay for their fans.
Pakistan got off to a rocky start in managing isolation when eight of the 53 tour participants tested positive for the coronavirus upon arrival and, on the first day, players violated strict health protocols by mingling in the hallways and sharing food.
The team was stripped of their permit to train, issued with a final warning by the New Zealand government, and risked being kicked out of the country. But there were no more gaps.
“We discuss [pulling out of the tour] but he finally decided to say no to this option because when he spends so much time on this then he has to try, ”Misbah said on Friday.
READ MORE:
* Black Caps are victims of their own excellence if the summer season turns into fizzer
* Pakistan cricket squad received approval to come out of managed isolation, one player left behind
* Former President Targets Pakistan Cricket As Coach Reveals Price Of Isolation
“Face the [Covid-19] The situation is not easy for anyone, but if we want to keep the game alive and do it, we have to make this sacrifice for the fans who sit at home and want to watch the game and have fun at this difficult time.
Pakistan came out of quarantine on Tuesday and the players moved from Christchurch to Queenstown to begin preparing for the first of three Twenty20s against the Black Caps next Friday.
RICKY WILSON / THINGS
Spark Sport’s new cricket commentator Sonia Gray
Misbah said that the time in isolation will not be an excuse if the results do not go as they want in the T20 and the two tests.
“As professionals we don’t look for excuses, because at the end of the day, no matter what excuse you make, people consider the bottom line,” he said. “Whatever happens, we can’t do much about it.
“What we can control is catching up with every minute and every moment that we couldn’t get in those 14 days.
“You think about how many days we need to prepare, how we are going to prepare, how to raise your team. Obviously these are not normal circumstances, what happens here is not ideal. But then, for the sake of international cricket, you want cricket to continue, and as a large stakeholder, we will do our best to help cricket in general. “
Misbah believed Pakistan has the pace to match New Zealand closers Lockie Ferguson and Trent Boult.
“Shaheen [Afridi] and Wahab [Riaz] they have quite a bit of experience now. Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain are also making progress with each set, so everyone is getting into the rhythm, ”said Misbah. “They have the skills, the potential, the rhythm and the swing; this package can surprise anyone.
“If New Zealand has Ferguson as their main pacemaker, who clocked around 150 km / h, then we have three to four fast players with similar ability. If you think you can challenge us with rhythm, you must also meet the same challenge. New Zealand is a tough team at home and plays well against the West Indies, but they will be challenged and you will see good cricket. “
