"My message to NZC is that we are not a club team that you can give warnings to us" : Shoaib Akhtar

[Snowflake]

I don't understand. Pak successfully toured England recently. Howcome, suddenly they forgot to follow protocols and rules? I don't think current Pak cricketers: Babar, Abid Ali, Naseem, Rizwan etc are drama queens. They look very professional to me. Never heard of any disciplinary issues from their side so far.

Look, I wouldn't put anything past Pak players. There's no doubting that these aren't the smartest guys around, but these are risky times! Chances of infection are HIGH! So, if something has happened, at least be sensitive about the situation and put the players health first! Instead of warning them that they'll be sent back. Highly unprofessional!

 

[El Generico]

We have fined Indian team members for bringing dirt in on their cricket spikes through airports. The NZ government would not hesitate to warn any nation for covid related violations.

If you think the NZ cricket board has any say over NZ border security you are dreaming.

But but what about the power of the big 3? [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] [MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION] I thought BCCI could get away with anything and this only happened to Pakistan because of their “auqaat”.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Alright we all just need to calm down.

N.z is strict. Trust me. They would do this to big 3 too. Australia is even worse when it comes to protocols and rules etc.

C'mon Pakistan don't mess this up. Just stay in your god damn room and play video games or something. Don't share food. Jeez. Not hard.

 

[tyron_woodley]

But but what about the power of the big 3? [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] [MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION] I thought BCCI could get away with anything and this only happened to Pakistan because of their “auqaat”.

That happened in 2002 when India was not yet a full powerhouse. India was still pre prime powerhouse.

Post 2010 is when India became true powerhouse. Can n.z do the same to India now? Hahaha. Yes they can but India will probably take it as an insult and never tour them. There will be some sort of understanding I presume.

 

[El Generico]

That happened in 2002 when India was not yet a full powerhouse. India was still pre prime powerhouse.

Post 2010 is when India became true powerhouse. Can n.z do the same to India now? Hahaha. Yes they can but India will probably take it as an insult and never tour them. There will be some sort of understanding I presume.

You guys really live in a different world if you think India would just randomly stop touring NZ because of one incident. BCCI is strong but it’s not like other boards have no spine.

India has been trying to ban Pakistan from ICC events, how has that gone? Shouldn’t it be easy for a “powerhouse” like BCCI to get a minnow like PCB kicked out? Why did they fail to do so?

 

[Usman]

They are in New Zealand, not in Pakistan where anything seems to go regarding Covid-19.

If they can't follow New Zealand's rules, come home and do whatever you want in the streets of Lahore, Pindi or Karachi.

Well said NZC - make an example of these buffoons.

Saj I agree that the Pakistani boys messed up and they are buffoons. But mistakes happen and there's a way of dealing with them. This response from New Zealand is not however the way to do it. We are helping out New Zealand cricket in a time of need. We are filing the coffers of their cricket board when income is scarce. We are giving their fans competitive cricket to watch. The "privilege" is all there's and to be so patronising and ungrateful, it leaves a seriously bad taste in the mouth.

Any self respecting nation should not accept being patronized in this way. We are not a school child being told off by the teacher. Yes the boys messed up but the response needs to be proportionate and respectful.

 

[BaankeJi]

Saj I agree that the Pakistani boys messed up and they are buffoons. But mistakes happen and there's a way of dealing with them. This response from New Zealand is not however the way to do it. We are helping out New Zealand cricket in a time of need. We are filing the coffers of their cricket board when income is scarce. We are giving their fans competitive cricket to watch. The "privilege" is all there's and to be so patronising and ungrateful, it leaves a seriously bad taste in the mouth.

Any self respecting nation should not accept being patronized in this way. We are not a school child being told off by the teacher. Yes the boys messed up but the response needs to be proportionate and respectful.

Agree with this. NZC could have been more tactful.
As far as need is concerned, Pakistan also need NZC to tour Pakistan.

 

[Junaids]

Saj I agree that the Pakistani boys messed up and they are buffoons. But mistakes happen and there's a way of dealing with them. This response from New Zealand is not however the way to do it. We are helping out New Zealand cricket in a time of need. We are filing the coffers of their cricket board when income is scarce. We are giving their fans competitive cricket to watch. The "privilege" is all there's and to be so patronising and ungrateful, it leaves a seriously bad taste in the mouth.

Any self respecting nation should not accept being patronized in this way. We are not a school child being told off by the teacher. Yes the boys messed up but the response needs to be proportionate and respectful.

You are getting confused between the NZ public, the NZ authorities and New Zealand Cricket.

The NZ public couldn't care less that NZ Cricket wants the money from a Pakistan tour. They made huge sacrifices to eliminate the virus in a 35 day TOTAL LOCKDOWN, and they will not stand for people being given exemptions as a favour and then breaking the rules and endangering everyone.

This is not England, where the tour was in a biosecure bubble. New Zealand as a country is a biosecure bubble, and on Day 15 the Pakistanis were due to be released to go to any shop or restaurant or gym in the country.

But if they spread the virus amongst themselves and then into the Community on Day 15, the sacrifices of a whole nation get wiped out.

 

[Aman]

As much Emotional Shoiabs statement is, I totally agree with him. People with no self-worth or national Pride might be showing their true selves in other threads but how this matter has been handled is poor and unprofessional. These players have been in a Bubble for the better part of the year. They were text negative twice and the only people they were mixing with were the people in the Bubble, Sharing food and whatnot, it was done among the Squad members who were tested negative.
And for people screaming "False negatives", False positives also exist. What if these 6 tests were false positives. Testing all around the world is doubtful. We as a Nation have handled this pandemic better than most in the region, despite our flawed medical system. No need to call these players names.
Obviously, PCB could have taken more precautions, but that doesn't give NZ the right to make statements like these in Public. But Gora parasti will mean that only we will be blamed.

There's a reason why NZ is COVID free and people can live their day to day lives normally here. We aren't going to risk it to accommodate a cricket series.

You have to take a hard stance across the board to get to where we are, compare what we've achieved to other countries where the infection and death numbers are absurd and the virus has kept people in lockdown for months.

If you don't want to follow the rules, you can go back home. Not going to risk having corona back in the community and be in lockdown again for some damn cricket.

 

[Aman]

Saj I agree that the Pakistani boys messed up and they are buffoons. But mistakes happen and there's a way of dealing with them. This response from New Zealand is not however the way to do it. We are helping out New Zealand cricket in a time of need. We are filing the coffers of their cricket board when income is scarce. We are giving their fans competitive cricket to watch. The "privilege" is all there's and to be so patronising and ungrateful, it leaves a seriously bad taste in the mouth.

Any self respecting nation should not accept being patronized in this way. We are not a school child being told off by the teacher. Yes the boys messed up but the response needs to be proportionate and respectful.

You aren't helping anyone, we could have called anyone over.

NZ is corona free and most teams would have jumped at the chance of being able to move around in the public with their countries still in lockdown.

The government has been open about everything that has happened when it relates to coronavirus so everyone is kept in the loop. There are regular updates from the health minister regarding how many infections there are etc. everyday and how contact tracing is going and whether you should be in self-isolation if you visited a place someone infected visited while they had COVID.

Nothing is being swept under the rug. It may be different elsewhere but all this information is revealed to the public for their own good.

 

[Shafi]

Unfortunately we are club team now-a-days. NZ top 4 first class team are capable to beat us as well. Instead of boasting Shoaib should told our players to be disciplined.

 

[Aman]

You are getting confused between the NZ public, the NZ authorities and New Zealand Cricket.

The NZ public couldn't care less that NZ Cricket wants the money from a Pakistan tour. They made huge sacrifices to eliminate the virus in a 35 day TOTAL LOCKDOWN, and they will not stand for people being given exemptions as a favour and then breaking the rules and endangering everyone.

This is not England, where the tour was in a biosecure bubble. New Zealand as a country is a biosecure bubble, and on Day 15 the Pakistanis were due to be released to go to any shop or restaurant or gym in the country.

But if they spread the virus amongst themselves and then into the Community on Day 15, the sacrifices of a whole nation get wiped out.

Exactly this.

If the team were to bring the virus into the community, there would be a massive shitstorm.

 

[Aman]

While Shoaib talks rubbish 99% of the times, he makes a valid point here. I'd like to see NZ warn Aus/Eng/India the same way. This was highly unprofessional and disrespectful. Final warning before they send us home? They aren't doing us a favor in hosting us! If anything, it's the other way round.

And before anyone tells me that we brought it upon ourselves, realize that travelling during these times is HIGHLY risky!!! We've had two events without any incident, so no need to jump the gun on the players here. While they were stupid to break minor protocols, it is not surprising that some got infected when the virus is spreading like wildfire.

That reaction from NZ was uncalled for. Shoaib is right. You do not warn your guests who have taken a high risk trip to your country, a trip from which you stand to earn. PCB needs to convey that to NZC and remind them that they really aren't in a position to **** other boards off.

Do you really believe we wouldn't have done the same to those countries?

Get real.

If those teams were doing the same thing and did not listen they would be promptly shown the door.

NZ is not going to risk getting COVID back in the community for a cricket series.

 

[inane]

The England and NZ situations are very different.

The England security bubble was to to keep the players and staff safe from catching covid so that cricket could go ahead safely. IE protecting the players from the general public, where it may be spreading unchecked. A breach only had consequences for the players/staff involved in the series.

With NZ there is NO covid in the general population so the security is to protect the NZ population from catching it from the overseas players. The consequences of an outbreak in NZ would be massive, as proved in the past, with very harsh lockdowns on hundreds of thousands of people. You can see why the NZ goverment would be furious with any protocol breaches especially as they would have to have given solid guarantees before even getting permission to enter the country.

It has nothing to do with Pakistan or Cricket in general any overseas visiting team or even individuals would be expected to follow the rules as the consequences are so serious

 

[Aman]

The England and NZ situations are very different.

The England security bubble was to to keep the players and staff safe from catching covid so that cricket could go ahead safely. IE protecting the players from the general public, where it may be spreading unchecked. A breach only had consequences for the players/staff involved in the series.

With NZ there is NO covid in the general population so the security is to protect the NZ population from catching it from the overseas players. The consequences of an outbreak in NZ would be massive, as proved in the past, with very harsh lockdowns on hundreds of thousands of people. You can see why the NZ goverment would be furious with any protocol breaches especially as they would have to have given solid guarantees before even getting permission to enter the country.

It has nothing to do with Pakistan or Cricket in general any overseas visiting team or even individuals would be expected to follow the rules as the consequences are so serious

Yep, exemptions are being given to allow cricket, rugby etc. but you have to follow protocols and go into isolation before being allowed into the 'bubble'. If people aren't following protocols it makes no sense to let them enter the bubble and introduce COVID back into the community. It would be a bad look for the government and NZC hence why they're so strict when it comes to managed isolation.

 

[Third_Umpire]

Covid is literally a matter of life and death and NZ is taking that seriously. Instead of crying about their harsh tone, why not channel anger at our team who couldn’t follow simple institutions?

 

[JaDed]

You guys really live in a different world if you think India would just randomly stop touring NZ because of one incident. BCCI is strong but it’s not like other boards have no spine.

India has been trying to ban Pakistan from ICC events, how has that gone? Shouldn’t it be easy for a “powerhouse” like BCCI to get a minnow like PCB kicked out? Why did they fail to do so?

Actually India does and it’s embarrassing honestly.. they have done it to NZ.

Also where has India tried to ban Pakistan from ICC events? Any source on that.

 

[hur rizvi]

Yep, exemptions are being given to allow cricket, rugby etc. but you have to follow protocols and go into isolation before being allowed into the 'bubble'. If people aren't following protocols it makes no sense to let them enter the bubble and introduce COVID back into the community. It would be a bad look for the government and NZC hence why they're so strict when it comes to managed isolation.

I understand the seriousness of NZ in managing Covid but with these restrictions, they should not be hosting cricket teams with 50+ members in the touring party.

Cricket is not the end of life, it can wait till the end of the pandemic and that is when NZ should start hosting again

 

[El Generico]

Actually India does and it’s embarrassing honestly.. they have done it to NZ.

Also where has India tried to ban Pakistan from ICC events? Any source on that.

BCCI asks ICC to oust Pakistan from 2019 World Cup for its terror links

https://www.indiatvnews.com/sports/...om-2019-world-cup-for-its-terror-links-505425

 

[Indiafan]

I understand the seriousness of NZ in managing Covid but with these restrictions, they should not be hosting cricket teams with 50+ members in the touring party.

Cricket is not the end of life, it can wait till the end of the pandemic and that is when NZ should start hosting again

The restriction is only during the quarantine period. After that the players were free to go out, go to shops, malls. Crowd will be present in matches and will touch the balls. All they asked was, follow the quarantine.

You can understand how in such an arrangement one player can spread the virus in the country

 

[naseem]

It's too harsh from Shoaib... But NZC too reacted similarly

 

[Space Cat]

People cant seem to understand the NZ Government and the NZ cricket board are not the same thing.

NZC would not take a high hand if they were calling the shots but the government has a country to run and they are not concerned about hurt feelings.

 

[hur rizvi]

The restriction is only during the quarantine period. After that the players were free to go out, go to shops, malls. Crowd will be present in matches and will touch the balls. All they asked was, follow the quarantine.

You can understand how in such an arrangement one player can spread the virus in the country

Definitely, Pakistan players are the culprit here and I dont blame NZ govt. for being stern but just my personal opinion that with these strict restrictions hosting 50+ player touring party is never going to be foolproof safe.

 

[cricketjoshila]

BCCI asks ICC to oust Pakistan from 2019 World Cup for its terror links

https://www.indiatvnews.com/sports/...om-2019-world-cup-for-its-terror-links-505425

That was a court appointed administrator, not the Bcci actually.

 

[cricketjoshila]

People cant seem to understand the NZ Government and the NZ cricket board are not the same thing.

NZC would not take a high hand if they were calling the shots but the government has a country to run and they are not concerned about hurt feelings.

This is a national cricket team and not some group of labourers trying to get a job.

If NZ really deports them, it will be a serious diplomatic incident and NZ govt will have to deal it in that way.

Stupid of them to give out public ultimatums.

 

[cricketjoshila]

I wonder if the pakistan govt will consider summoning the NZ high commissioner and handing a demarche.

 

[Indiafan]

This is a national cricket team and not some group of labourers trying to get a job.

If NZ really deports them, it will be a serious diplomatic incident and NZ govt will have to deal it in that way.

Stupid of them to give out public ultimatums.

Yeah because covid being spread in a coivd free country by cricketers is different when done by a cricket team than laborers. Entire areas going into lockdown is ok if a cricket team does if

 

[hur rizvi]

This is a national cricket team and not some group of labourers trying to get a job.

If NZ really deports them, it will be a serious diplomatic incident and NZ govt will have to deal it in that way.

Stupid of them to give out public ultimatums.

That would be really sad and I hope both NZ and Pakistan are sensible at handling this. I know Pakistan players made a mistake here but deporting them would still be cruel and on the other hand, Pakistan definitely is in no position to threaten to abandon the tour.

Just put covid positive players in isolation for two weeks and behind the scenes keep reminding Pakistan management about the rules to be obeyed

 

[cricketjoshila]

Yeah because covid being spread in a coivd free country by cricketers is different when done by a cricket team than laborers. Entire areas going into lockdown is ok if a cricket team does if

Who did they spread the virus to? They were in quarantine. The very reason they are in quarantine is because they dont want to spread the virus.

 

[KoyoAli]

Who did they spread the virus to? They were in quarantine. The very reason they are in quarantine is because they dont want to spread the virus.

Exactly, they never broke the quarantine. Even when they were not following the rules, they were mixing among only themselves. It's shambolic how the vultures on this thread are showing their faces. People are reacting as if the players put the NZ public at risk. Nothing like that happened.

 

[tyron_woodley]

You guys really live in a different world if you think India would just randomly stop touring NZ because of one incident. BCCI is strong but it’s not like other boards have no spine.

India has been trying to ban Pakistan from ICC events, how has that gone? Shouldn’t it be easy for a “powerhouse” like BCCI to get a minnow like PCB kicked out? Why did they fail to do so?

No that's what would happen. I am not suggesting that.

 

[Major]

after looking at the mentality of paksitani posters on this thread, you can see why we could be asked to leave from NZ.

for many this is a small matter

 

[Major]

as for BCCI and CA or ECB.

New zealand cricket cannot kick anyone out, its teh NZ govt.

BCCI, CA or ECB are not bigger than the NZ Govt.

 

[Space Cat]

This is a national cricket team and not some group of labourers trying to get a job.

If NZ really deports them, it will be a serious diplomatic incident and NZ govt will have to deal it in that way.

Stupid of them to give out public ultimatums.

You are living in dream land if you think a cricket tour will cause a diplomatic incident. The NZ government once banned US warships from our waters i dont we are too worried about a cricket teams feelings.

 

[cricketjoshila]

You are living in dream land if you think a cricket tour will cause a diplomatic incident. The NZ government once banned US warships from our waters i dont we are too worried about a cricket teams feelings.

Warships and a visiting national team are two different things.

Yes it would cause a diplomatic incident if you deport a national team. There are ways to handle these things other than issuing public threats.

NZ govt is lucky pakistan have been extremely polite in response.

 

[Space Cat]

Warships and a visiting national team are two different things.

Yes it would cause a diplomatic incident if you deport a national team. There are ways to handle these things other than issuing public threats.

NZ govt is lucky pakistan have been extremely polite in response.

This is not a Tom Clancy novel lmao its the real world.

What diplomatic sanctions could Pakistan possibly impose on New Zealand? And why would they when there was no diplomatic threat only a border security issue.

Chest thumping on forums is far from the reality of the real world.

Pakistan will do better now after some mistakes and after quarantine ends will be treated as valued guests.

 

[cricketjoshila]

This is not a Tom Clancy novel lmao its the real world.

What diplomatic sanctions could Pakistan possibly impose on New Zealand? And why would they when there was no diplomatic threat only a border security issue.

Chest thumping on forums is far from the reality of the real world.

Pakistan will do better now after some mistakes and after quarantine ends will be treated as valued guests.

You dont threaten a national team with deportation in public. If you have issues you ask them to leave politely. They are invited dignitaries representing their nation. You expect to deal with them in a manner that preserves their dignity.

As i said Pakistan have been extremely polite.

 

[Shahzad1985]

The way I see it firstly shoaib saying the PCB needs to say to NZC that we will not play you for 5 years is abit extreme, thankfully he ain’t in a high post in the PCB. Secondly the NZC does not need to publicly threaten us with a final warning, this could have been handled between both cricket boards. Finally yes the players messed up but they ain’t the first lot to do it and won’t be the last. Even Prime Ministers of countries ie Boris Johnson flouted the rules and Trump did too. That’s not to say our players are excuses but as they had just arrived maybe they was a little relaxed in the early stages but they handled it well in England and I am sure they will not make any further mistakes now

 

[gazza619]

Akhtar as always is pretending to be some brave macho guy. He is clueless most of the times.

Breaking the covid-19 protocol means our players can transmit this to the NZ population and kills tens of thousands of people.

Our players deserve this!

 

[Mamoon]

This isn't from NZC but from the NZ government. They would have done the same with everyone. You think that after months of extreme care, they would tolerate the risk of community spread just because the spreaders are from India or England? Yeah right.

Shoaib is talking nonsense but some of your posts these days aren't far behind.

The NZ government would have backed down in front of the big 3? Had no idea that some cricket boards were so strong that the NZ PM and government would have been scared of them.

Dragging Big 3 here is nothing but a way to brag about your favorite team. It's idiotic to say the least here just like Shoaib has done.

NZ is the only country free of COVID19, and they should be worried if any foreigner is testing positive on their land. Regardless of citizenship, they would have told Big 3 the same.
It's not getting better with the masala media we have here.

This is not about what the NZ government communicated to the PCB; it is about the way they did.

There is no absolutely no chance that BCCI, CA or ECB would have been threatened and disrespected in this fashion because of the leverage these boards have on NZC.


If Indian, Australian or English players would have broken quarantine and tested positive, this whole situation would have been managed in a low-key manner and it would not have blown off like it has now. Of course the New Zealand government would not be happy with the Indian, Australian or English players breaking rules, but it would have been communicated to them in a diplomatic manner.

The reason why the government of NZ practically told PCB that if they don’t sort themselves out we will boot you out is because they know that PCB cannot do anything that would harm NZC.

Even after all this if NZC expresses its desire to play 1 T20 in Pakistan, PCB would be welcoming them with a red carpet and will give them royal treatment. On the other hand, the big 3 boards can easily cancel home series with NZ in light of such disrespect and it would not make an iota of difference to them.

They can keep playing each other and make more money than NZC can.

PCB finds itself in an unfortunate situation where it is desperate to host these teams in Pakistan and thus cannot do retaliate when they are humiliated in this fashion.

Furthermore, Wasim Khan once again proved how incompetent and clueless he is. We were told that he was next in line to be ECB chief and if that is true, ECB must thank their lucky stars that they got rid of his baggage and dumped him on Pakistan.

There was absolutely no reason for him to explicitly state that NZ have warned Pakistan that if there is another breach, they will send us home. No NZ government or NZC official have made direct comments to the media, and the “final warning” statement has come from PCB’s incompetent CEO himself.

Today, the entire cricket world is laughing at us and rightly so all because Wasim Khan’s stupidity.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Akhtar as always is pretending to be some brave macho guy. He is clueless most of the times.

Breaking the covid-19 protocol means our players can transmit this to the NZ population and kills tens of thousands of people.

Our players deserve this!

How will they transmit if they are in quarantine?

 

[Mamoon]

The way I see it firstly shoaib saying the PCB needs to say to NZC that we will not play you for 5 years is abit extreme, thankfully he ain’t in a high post in the PCB. Secondly the NZC does not need to publicly threaten us with a final warning, this could have been handled between both cricket boards. Finally yes the players messed up but they ain’t the first lot to do it and won’t be the last. Even Prime Ministers of countries ie Boris Johnson flouted the rules and Trump did too. That’s not to say our players are excuses but as they had just arrived maybe they was a little relaxed in the early stages but they handled it well in England and I am sure they will not make any further mistakes now

They did not publicly threaten us. They privately communicated to PCB that if our players break the rules again they will kick us out.

However, for some reason, Wasim Khan thought it was a bright idea to communicate the above to the media. He is absolutely clueless and deserves to get sacked for this stupidity.

 

[Cric_lover4487]

They did not publicly threaten us. They privately communicated to PCB that if our players break the rules again they will kick us out.

However, for some reason, Wasim Khan thought it was a bright idea to communicate the above to the media. He is absolutely clueless and deserves to get sacked for this stupidity.

A friend of mine is working over there. He told me it was in national news. It was mentioned that Pakistan team has been told that they will be sent back if they don't mend their ways. Point is cricket is as much popular in NZ as much Rugby is popular in Ind/Pak. General public won't object if tour gets cancelled. Apparently, they are very serious about following protocols. I personally don't know who is correct. I feel both parties are to be blamed. Pak players should have followed protocols but NZ should have also not shared it in public. Its humiliating for players to be targeted like that.

 

[Bhaijaan]

This is not a Tom Clancy novel lmao its the real world.

What diplomatic sanctions could Pakistan possibly impose on New Zealand? And why would they when there was no diplomatic threat only a border security issue.

Chest thumping on forums is far from the reality of the real world.

Pakistan will do better now after some mistakes and after quarantine ends will be treated as valued guests.

Theh may ban consumption of kiwi fruit for starters.

 

[Mamoon]

So who leaked Wasim Khan’s audio messages that he sent to the team WhatsApp group?

Why are we so dumb and unprofessional? Unbelievable.

 

[MenInG]

So who leaked Wasim Khan’s audio messages that he sent to the team WhatsApp group?

Why are we so dumb and unprofessional? Unbelievable.

Ok so now we have moved onto this - good you have done your research.

Obviously someone in PCB - probably one with sympathy for the previous administration.

 

[Mamoon]

Ok so now we have moved onto this - good you have done your research.

Obviously someone in PCB - probably one with sympathy for the previous administration.

Don’t get me wrong. Wasim Khan is a clown.

But surely it cannot be that hard? How many people are in there in the Pakistan team WhatsApp group?

Are we going to investigate this or let it slide?

 

[MenInG]

Don’t get me wrong. Wasim Khan is a clown.

But surely it cannot be that hard? How many people are in there in the Pakistan team WhatsApp group?

Are we going to investigate this or let it slide?

I am sure - its been investigated. But the damage is done.

I understand your disappointment and not finding anything relevant to put on Wasim Khan - happens.

 

[Rana]

The man who was doing Bhangra at Wasim Khan’s supposed failure yesterday )

Now it’s the PCB group Whatsapp’s fault

 

[Savak]

I blame the Pakistani govt here. They should have summoned the NZ high commissioner on this matter and have told him that the PCB, its players will abide by NZ rules but at the same time there was no need for the country of NZ to blow the matter out of proportion.

 

[Saj]

Diplomacy is key here too.

NZ are one of the nations that Pakistan hopes will tour in the coming year or so.

Build relations, don't go there and flout the rules and behave as if you have never been out of your house before.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Diplomacy is key here too.

NZ are one of the nations that Pakistan hopes will tour in the coming year or so.

Build relations, don't go there and flout the rules and behave as if you have never been out of your house before.

Pakistan has been too polite. NZ makes it look like 30 odd pakistanis are there to seek asylum.

Quite a few teams would have walked out of the tour by now, telling the NZ govt to shove their protocols. Right now it looks like NZ is doing a favour by letting pakistanis play and pakistan is desperate to stay in NZ.

 

[King_Kohli]

Theh may ban consumption of kiwi fruit for starters.

How much Pakistan consuming.

 

[MenInG]

You could just picture the ashen faces and flurry of activity at New Zealand Cricket headquarters on Thursday, the eve of a much-awaited home international season.

Having carefully negotiated the West Indies’ arrival, and charted their negative tests and release from managed isolation in quarantine (MIQ) in time for Friday’s Twenty20 opener before an unrestricted crowd, news of Pakistan’s six Covid-19 positives would have caused parts of the home summer to flash before chief executive David White’s eyes.

Mainly, visions of dollar signs cascading down a drain if this tour was to be cancelled due to a widespread outbreak among the touring side’s 34 players.

Hysterical calls to send Pakistan home for what appear minor isolation breaches miss the point that this tour means a lot more to NZC than captain Babar Azam’s men, who along with West Indies completed lockdown tours of England in a massive favour to their cricket-starved hosts.

When the home schedule was confirmed, after receiving Government approval of MIQ facilities and training bubbles, White had this to say: “It’s a huge boost for us. It’s our financial lifeline. International cricket funds the whole game of cricket in New Zealand so it’s very, very important for us.

“Our adherence to the Government protocols is very important. Managed isolation for teams is going to be important and we’re conscious of the opportunity that the Government has given us and the responsibility we’ve got as a sport to follow all rules and regulations. We totally understand that.”

Already, NZC faces a bill of $2 million-plus for MIQ for West Indies, Pakistan (who brought 34 players and 20 support staff), Australia and Bangladesh, plus Australia and England’s women sides.

In NZC’s annual report, outgoing chair Greg Barclay said it had budgeted for a $3.5m loss this season due to the increased cost of inbound tours and MIQ. After cost-cutting at head office it clawed back a $1.5m surplus for 2019-20.

Throw in the potential loss of commercial and broadcast income and ticket sales if, hypothetically, the three Pakistan T20 internationals and two tests (including Boxing Day at Bay Oval) were canned, and it would be damaging. Black Caps internationals draw between 80-90 per cent of NZC’s revenue, which last year totalled $59.24 million. Even matches in empty stadia to fulfil broadcasting contracts, if there was an upgrade in alert levels, would limit the damage.

For now, NZC is tight-lipped apart from insisting the Pakistan schedule is not under threat. The situation will become clearer in the coming days, and their bloated tour squad is a plus.

Friday marked day three of Pakistan’s stay and they all underwent mandatory testing, the results of which will be known on Saturday. That’s the biggest worry for NZC now, how widely the virus has spread within the squad at Christchurch’s Chateau on the Park.

Four of the day one tests were fresh positives, the other two weak positives which suggests historical infection. Assistant coach Shahid Aslam was diverted to quarantine on landing in Auckland after declaring a sore throat, but since tested negative and will rejoin the squad when he completes his 14 days MIQ. Batsman Fakhar Zaman was scratched from the tour after reporting a fever before the squad departed.

Yes, some broke isolation protocols and received a dramatic “final warning” from the Ministry of Health, along with a firm, measured tune-up from Pakistan’s highly regarded chief executive Wasim Khan. These breaches were understood to be minor, but careless, and exacerbated an already tenuous situation. The message, hopefully, got through, as it did with West Indies from their CEO.

Under the original plan, assuming everyone tested negative on day three, Pakistan would have been permitted to split into four bubbles of 13-14 and train behind closed doors at NZC’s high performance centre at Lincoln from Saturday.

That’s now on hold, but if the virus is contained, some bubbles could potentially start training on Tuesday after a further negative test on day six.

If there are more cases, Pakistan’s first training will be delayed further and warm-up matches may need to be pushed back, their buildup severely compromised. They at least are fresh from their domestic T20 competition. As it stands the first T20 international against the Black Caps is scheduled for Eden Park on December 18.

It’s not panic stations yet, and Saturday’s test results will be anxiously awaited. NZC’s balance sheet, and a host of expectant cricket fans in both countries, depend on it.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/crick...-wait-begins-for-pakistans-covid-test-results