Six Pakistan cricketers test positive for COVID-19 in New Zealand

Six Pakistan cricketers have tested positive for COVID-19 in New Zealand on Thursday.

The latest development has thrown away the preparations for the five-match series into doubt and has caused a scare in a country that has largely eradicated the virus. Pakistan on its NZ Tour is due to play three T20Is and two Tests against Kane Williamson’s team from next month.

As being reported, the Pakistan cricket team has been given a final warning by the New Zealand health authorities over breaching isolation rules.

New Zealand’s ministry of health in a statement said that 53 team members passed a symptom check before leaving Lahore and were tested on arrival in Christchurch on November 24.

Six of those results have come back positive, although two of the six cases are believed to be “historical”, it added.

According to New Zealand’s health ministry, the players will now be tested a minimum of four times while in managed isolation and the entire squad would be confined to their rooms.

New Zealand Health also revealed that “several team members have been seen on CCTV at the facility breaching managed isolation rules, despite clear, consistent and detailed communication of expected behaviours”.

“The team as a whole has been issued with a final warning,” it said.

“It is a privilege to come to New Zealand to play sport, but in return, teams must stick to the rules that are designed to keep COVID-19 out of our communities and keep our staff safe,” said top health official Ashley Bloomfield.