Cricket: Government Denies Pakistani Cricketers Permission To Train Before T20 Series Against Black Caps

The Pakistan cricket team has been denied permission to train before the T20 series against the Black Caps.

It comes after multiple members of the squad tested positive for Covid-19.

“I have considered this situation very carefully. At this time, I continue to have concerns about the risk of cross infection within the team,” Chief Health Officer Ashley Bloomfield said in a statement Friday.

“Several active cases have been identified among the team. Public health considerations will continue to be paramount in our response to Covid-19, whether it involves individuals or teams.

“We appreciate the challenges this decision will have for the touring team.”
Seven of the squad are infected with coronavirus.

The team is scheduled to play New Zealand in the first of three T20 matches in Auckland on December 18.

They were put on final notice by the government after violating a series of administered isolation rules, and remain in hiding at the Chateau on the Park in Christchurch.

Earlier today, the Health Ministry said there were no new cases to report. The last time no new cases were detected at the border or in the community was on October 19.

Last week, Pakistani cricket legend Shoaib Akhtar threatened to cancel his old team’s tour.

NZ Cricket learned that some members of the Pakistan team had violated protocols on the first day of controlled isolation and the government gave the entire team a “final warning”.

However, Akhtar warned New Zealand Cricket to “behave well” for threatening to cancel the tour, accusing the New Zealand governing body of treating the Pakistan team as a club team.

“New Zealand’s comment that if the Pakistan team’s SOP (standard operating procedures) is not in place, we will cancel the tour is below the belt,” Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.

“I want to send a message to the New Zealand (NZC) board that this is not a club team, it is the Pakistani national cricket team.

We don’t need you. Our cricket is not over.

“You will receive the money from the broadcasting rights. Therefore, you should be indebted to us for deciding to tour your 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. Team Pakistan now needs to crush them in the T20 series.”