[PICTURES/VIDEOS] Pakistan squad arrives in Queenstown

[MenInG]

Six members of the Pakistan squad test positive for COVID-19


NZC was made aware today that six members of the Pakistan touring squad, currently in managed isolation in Christchurch, have tested positive for COVID-19.

Two of these six results have been deemed “historical”; four have been confirmed as new.

This means that, in line with the protocols governing the squad’s entry into New Zealand, the six members of the squad will be moved to the quarantine arm of the managed isolation facility.

As a consequence, the Pakistan team’s exemption to train while in managed isolation has been put on hold until investigations have been completed.

While this is disappointing for the Pakistan squad, the testing outcomes and the actions taken show the Government system is working.

Prior to leaving Lahore, all members of the Pakistan touring squad returned negative results on the four occasions they were tested.

Separately, NZC has also been made aware that some members of the Pakistan team had contravened protocols on the first day of managed isolation. We will be having discussions with the tourists to assist them in understanding the requirements.

NZC considers public health and safety to be paramount in the hosting of international teams, and is supportive of the Ministry of Health and Government position.

 

[MenInG]

Absolute disaster this.

 

[kingusama92]

That's embarrassing.

Weren't all of them sitting together in one place with Misbah talking to them? I'm surprised it's only six.

 

[angrypathan]

They had 1 job. Except for Misbah, I've lost count of how many jobs he has

 

[Aman]

According to stuff some players haven't been following isolation rules either.

"Team members were caught on surveillance footage mingling in hallways and sharing food, as well as leaving their rooms outside of allocated time slots"

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

embarrassing from Pakistan players for not adhering to the protocols.

 

[ahmadharis1]

Bunch of entitled brats on this team, just follow the damn rules! Lives literally depend on it

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Guardian is reporting that NZ Health has given warnings to the tourists. Imagine how embarrassing it will be if the tour is not allowed to go on because of these players stupidity.
Indians are also under quarantine in Sydney have not heard of a single such instance.
What is the need to share food??

 

[Varun]

Pakistan, spreading Corona across the Commonwealth.

 

[zacattakk]

According to stuff some players haven't been following isolation rules either.

"Team members were caught on surveillance footage mingling in hallways and sharing food, as well as leaving their rooms outside of allocated time slots"

x 100

Somehow I'm not surprised. These guys are really an embarrassment.

 

[Caved12]

It was just a matter of time because our players never cared about following instructions. To them, Corona was just a joke and more like a seasonal bug that comes and goes without doing much damage.

 

[Colorblind Genius]

Bunch of entitled brats on this team, just follow the damn rules! Lives literally depend on it

I think negative test results in Pakistan helped them break that mental barrier that would stop one from breaking the rules.

And since mental intellect is a rare commodity in Pakistani team, and ignoring the rules is part of our general nature, this didn’t come as a surprise.

Our players sometimes beg to be treated like a herd of sheep.

Let’s hope it gets over with soon and games resume as scheduled.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Six Pakistan cricket players test positive for Covid-19 in New Zealand

Several team members caught breaching rules
Exemption to train while in isolation revoked

Six Pakistan cricketers have tested positive for Covid-19 and the whole squad issued with a “final warning” by the New Zealand government after breaching rules while in isolation in Christchurch.

Plans for Pakistan’s upcoming Twenty-20 and Test series against New Zealand have been thrown into chaos, with six team members moved into quarantine and the team’s exemption to train while in isolation temporarily revoked.

New Zealand’s Ministry of Health on Thursday said all 53 members of the travelling party, including players and staff, were tested on arrival on 24 November and the positive results are from those tests.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2...ers-test-positive-for-covid-19-in-new-zealand

New Zealand Cricket said in a statement all players in the squad had tested negative four times before leaving Lahore. Two of the six results were “historical” infections while four were new. NZC said it had been made aware members of the squad may have breached strict biosecurity protocols on the first day of their 14-day mandatory isolation.

As part of measures to prevent Covid-19 being brought into the country, the team were not allowed to socialise, eat or train together outside their small bubbles while in isolation.

The health ministry said “the team as a whole has been issued with a final warning”. “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 Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield.

“We will be having discussions with the tourists to assist them in understanding the requirements,” NZC said. “While this is disappointing for the Pakistan squad, the testing outcomes and the actions taken show the government system is working.

“NZC considers public health and safety to be paramount in the hosting of international teams, and is supportive of the Ministry of Health and government position.”

The touring West Indies side also fell foul of the regulations earlier this month and had their training exemption revoked.

Pakistan are due to play New Zealand in a three-match T20 series and two Tests in December and January. The first T20 is scheduled for 18 December.

Earlier this week, opener Fakhar Zaman was left out of Pakistan’s touring party as a precautionary measure after he developed a fever before the team’s departure on Monday.

There has been no community transmission of Covid in New Zealand for the past two weeks. On 11 November, a single case in central Auckland caused the shutdown of the CBD for a day.

 

[Arsal_AK]

It says six members of the sqaud, do we know how many players tested positive? Statistically unlikely that all of them are the players, especially considering a few of them had already tested positive before.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Any idea who these geniuses are?

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

I have a question for Pakistan fans.. what is it with the Pakistan players always involved in some kind of controversy all the time. Surely education is not the reason. India, Bangladesh, SRL have fair share of people who did not had great education.

I feel Pakistani fans adulate and hype up there players too soon.. just after performances in 3-4 matches.
The players buy into this hype and feel they some next incoming of next level legends.. and just don't apply their mind. Basic level of intellect is missing in these guys. After Wasim and Waqar, and Misbah, I have not seen many Pakistan players with brains. From Afridi to Younus to Sami, to Hassan Ali and Sharjeel, these guys are talented players but no brains.

I hope this post is taken as a constructive criticism and a genuine question, and not as some kind of dig.

Its just baffling to see a team involved in some sort of shenanigans one after the other post 2010.

 

[MHN1293]

I have a question for Pakistan fans.. what is it with the Pakistan players always involved in some kind of controversy all the time. Surely education is not the reason. India, Bangladesh, SRL have fair share of people who did not had great education.

I feel Pakistani fans adulate and hype up there players too soon.. just after performances in 3-4 matches.
The players buy into this hype and feel they some next incoming of next level legends.. and just don't apply their mind. Basic level of intellect is missing in these guys. After Wasim and Waqar, and Misbah, I have not seen many Pakistan players with brains. From Afridi to Younus to Sami, to Hassan Ali and Sharjeel, these guys are talented players but no brains.

I hope this post is taken as a constructive criticism and a genuine question, and not as some kind of dig.

Its just baffling to see a team involved in some sort of shenanigans one after the other post 2010.

It is more because of the pakistani public in general. People became complacent when corona decreased and masks were non existent. A couple of events i went to i could see people casually holding hands. Most people here dont take it seriously enough.

 

[KoyoAli]

What a joke. Embarrassing to say the least.

 

[feelings2002]

any body know the name of these six intelligent players

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I have a question for Pakistan fans.. what is it with the Pakistan players always involved in some kind of controversy all the time. Surely education is not the reason. India, Bangladesh, SRL have fair share of people who did not had great education.

I feel Pakistani fans adulate and hype up there players too soon.. just after performances in 3-4 matches.
The players buy into this hype and feel they some next incoming of next level legends.. and just don't apply their mind. Basic level of intellect is missing in these guys. After Wasim and Waqar, and Misbah, I have not seen many Pakistan players with brains. From Afridi to Younus to Sami, to Hassan Ali and Sharjeel, these guys are talented players but no brains.

I hope this post is taken as a constructive criticism and a genuine question, and not as some kind of dig.

Its just baffling to see a team involved in some sort of shenanigans one after the other post 2010.

Hard to see your comment beyond anything more than a hot take.

Bangladesh players like Shakib and Sabbir Rehman have been the subject of controversy recently. The entire Bangladesh side was aswell when they shattered the door of their dressing room following a loss in the Nidhas Trophy.

Same goes for Australian players like Warner, Smith, Bancroft, English players like Stokes & Hales, Indian players like KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya who made comments that even uneducated people wouldnt make.

What the Pakistani players did is stupid and irresponsible. But to single them out is a generalization on your part. West Indies were guilty of the same thing when they came to New Zealand earlier. Hey, atleast they didn't go to a night club like Jofra Archer.

 

[Arsal_AK]

The geniuses who have broken protocol should be given a serious talking to. Instead of six now it could be 12 or more.

How are they differentiating between new and historical infection. PCR and Antibody tests? If so, the two historical ones shouldn't be an issue.

The other four though are a big issue and how could they have picked it up is a question. If PCB conducted four tests and still they got it, there is something wrong. The biosecure bubble wasn't so biosecure after all.

Hopefully no one gets a serious infection and they all clear it with the 14 days period. That would mean no training till the 10th of December.

And the staff there needs to get it through the players head that no interaction means no interaction. This thing will only get more out of hand if they can't grasp this simple idea.

 

[Gotham Cronie]

According to stuff some players haven't been following isolation rules either.

"Team members were caught on surveillance footage mingling in hallways and sharing food, as well as leaving their rooms outside of allocated time slots"

What is the need to share food??

x 100

Somehow I'm not surprised. These guys are really an embarrassment.

Please don't mix up stories.

This was the West Indies team that was mentioned.

 

[zain7077]

According to rumours the 5 players are: Hafeez Babar Rizwan Shan and Imam. One staff member is Shahis Aslam. I repeat these are rumours from Twitter.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

The management also needs to be held responsible. It is literally their job to make it clear to the players that this cannot happen.

 

[Third_Umpire]

I saw a video of YouTube with the team in flight and Imam walking around interviewing players. No masks or poorly worn ones. That would be an easy one to avoid; not sure what else the team go up to.

 

[Nadeemp]

According to rumours the 5 players are: Hafeez Babar Rizwan Shan and Imam. One staff member is Shahis Aslam. I repeat these are rumours from Twitter.

That’s the main players

 

[Nadeemp]

I saw a video of YouTube with the team in flight and Imam walking around interviewing players. No masks or poorly worn ones. That would be an easy one to avoid; not sure what else the team go up to.

Link

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

According to rumours the 5 players are: Hafeez Babar Rizwan Shan and Imam. One staff member is Shahis Aslam. I repeat these are rumours from Twitter.

If rumors are true this does not reflect well on the senior players of the side & the captain

 

[zain7077]

Link

It was on PCB’s YouTube channel. Not surprised that it’s been removed.

 

[zain7077]

New Zealand Cricket have also warned the PCB that if there is another breach of the SOP’s the tour will be cancelled. There were only 8 covid positives in the whole of NZ yesterday and there will be 6 Pakistanis for today’s results. Terrible situation.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Hard to see your comment beyond anything more than a hot take.

Bangladesh players like Shakib and Sabbir Rehman have been the subject of controversy recently. The entire Bangladesh side was aswell when they shattered the door of their dressing room following a loss in the Nidhas Trophy.

Same goes for Australian players like Warner, Smith, Bancroft, English players like Stokes & Hales, Indian players like KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya who made comments that even uneducated people wouldnt make.

What the Pakistani players did is stupid and irresponsible. But to single them out is a generalization on your part. West Indies were guilty of the same thing when they came to New Zealand earlier. Hey, atleast they didn't go to a night club like Jofra Archer.

That’s why I said post 2010. No team had so many players embroiled in one controversy or the other since 2010.
Warner and smith did a kind of ball tampering more or less every team does that tbh to reverse swing.
West Indies players I agree but it’s like one incident in this decade more or less.
But it is a sequence of events in case of Pakistan team especially since 2010. So I am just trying to understand what is the difference in attitude in these players that they just do idiotic stuff one after the other.
Too much adulation?

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

That’s why I said post 2010. No team had so many players embroiled in one controversy or the other since 2010.
Warner and smith did a kind of ball tampering more or less every team does that tbh to reverse swing.
West Indies players I agree but it’s like one incident in this decade more or less.
But it is a sequence of events in case of Pakistan team especially since 2010. So I am just trying to understand what is the difference in attitude in these players that they just do idiotic stuff one after the other.
Too much adulation?

Lack of common sense and insensibility. Sometimes typical Pakistani attitude is: "Why should I adapt to world? the world should adapt to me".

I believe these 6 players acted like 'Murican hillbillies and have caused shame and danger. They should be punished and dropped. Hopefully PCB is harsh on these clowns.

 

[Nadeemp]

Lack of common sense and insensibility. Sometimes typical Pakistani attitude is: "Why should I adapt to world? the world should adapt to me".

I believe these 6 players acted like 'Murican hillbillies and have caused shame and danger. They should be punished and dropped. Hopefully PCB is harsh on these clowns.

Babar is one of them. Damn

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Babar is one of them. Damn

Doesn't matter who.

They are all grown ups and were unable to follow simple instructions

 

[Mamoon]

The NZ government needs to send us home. NZC will forfeit easy points but you cannot risk your public for cricket.

We are a disaster and have no shame.

 

[KoyoAli]

According to rumours the 5 players are: Hafeez Babar Rizwan Shan and Imam. One staff member is Shahis Aslam. I repeat these are rumours from Twitter.

So basically all the main players? yeah, I would take these rumors with a pinch of salt. Looks more like someone's wishful thinking

 

[Oxfordchamp]

This is embarrassment of highest order...hope it is contained before it goes out of hand and affects the entire country..

 

[JibranAnsari]

frankly they should send the squad back , how irresponsible can you be.

 

[Zeshan547]

The NZ government needs to send us home. NZC will forfeit easy points but you cannot risk your public for cricket.

We are a disaster and have no shame.

Wao you have forgotten the art of being subtle, such a shame, atleast it made your day, your whole existence is revolve around it.

 

[angrypathan]

Presumably Hafeez and Rizwan, if they're among the positives, would be the historical ones and the rest new infections.

 

[Darkrai]

The most unprofessional team ever.

Embarrassing.

 

[Oxfordchamp]

According to stuff some players haven't been following isolation rules either.

"Team members were caught on surveillance footage mingling in hallways and sharing food, as well as leaving their rooms outside of allocated time slots"

What was the need to share food..

 

[MenInG]

What was the need to share food..

The West Indies, who open their series against the Black Caps with a T20 at Auckland's Eden Park on Friday night, also broke quarantine regulations.

They had training privileges denied after “repeatedly” breaking managed isolation rules.

Team members were caught on surveillance footage mingling in hallways and sharing food, as well as leaving their rooms outside of allocated time slots.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket...arning-after-breaking-managed-isolation-rules

==

This is referring to West Indies side not Pakistan

 

[MenInG]

Pakistani cricketers are on their “final warning” after breaking managed isolation rules in Christchurch.

The Ministry of Health said “several” members of the Pakistan men’s cricket team were seen breaking the rules on CCTV cameras, but the ministry did not provide detail of what rules were broken.

The breaches happened despite “clear, consistent and detailed communication of expected behaviours”, a spokeswoman said.

Thursday was their third day in isolation at the Chateau on the Park hotel in Christchurch.

The Canterbury District Health Board’s medical officer of health has now sent a letter to the squad’s management saying all team members must stay in their rooms until further advised. Training privileges have been revoked.

Director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said the rule breaking was being taken

“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,” he said.

The warnings came as the Ministry of Health confirmed six of the 53-member squad had tested positive for Covid-19. A statement from New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said two of the cases were historical and four were new.

The positive tests were from the team's day one testing on Tuesday. All members of the team returned negative tests before flying to New Zealand.

The positive cases had been moved to separate quarantine rooms in the hotel and all players would be tested at least four times before leaving the facility.

Director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says “teams must stick to the rules”.

The rule breaking and positive cases were confined to the hotel and the ministry was confident there was no risk to the public.

Pakistan’s first match against the Black Caps is a T20 at Auckland's Eden Park on December 18.

The West Indies, who open their series against the Black Caps with a T20 at Auckland's Eden Park on Friday night, also broke quarantine regulations.

They had training privileges denied after “repeatedly” breaking managed isolation rules.

Team members were caught on surveillance footage mingling in hallways and sharing food, as well as leaving their rooms outside of allocated time slots.

NZC said it considered public health and safety to be paramount in the hosting of international teams, and was supportive of the Ministry of Health and government position.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket...arning-after-breaking-managed-isolation-rules

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Squad should be sent home pronto - no two ways about it.

Bunch of jokers this lot

 

[Hasan123]

Ridiculous level of professionalism. These guys can't even follow basic guidelines and you think they can improve and compete with the likes of Kohli, Buttler,Warner, etc.

Very poor stuff.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

There are mitigating circumstances.

Pakistani cricketers have had an exemplary UK tour and have lived in Covid bubble more than most teams - home and away. They are humans and it can happen. This has happened across the world in various sports, particularly before tournaments beginning, and not just to Pakistan cricket. This year is full of stories of players testing positive.

NZC should not be coming down like a schoolmaster either. Be respectful of those who have traveled to your country - it is definitely a privilege but it is for both teams. You can have a private word rather than being publicly loud.

Overall, there is nothing to be embarrassed or on the backfoot about.

Chill!

 

[shah_1]

There are mitigating circumstances.

Pakistani cricketers have had an exemplary UK tour and have lived in Covid bubble more than most teams - home and away. They are humans and it can happen. This has happened across the world in various sports, particularly before tournaments beginning, and not just to Pakistan cricket. This year is full of stories of players testing positive.

NZC should not be coming down like a schoolmaster either. Be respectful of those who have traveled to your country - it is definitely a privilege but it is for both teams. You can have a private word rather than being publicly loud.

Overall, there is nothing to be embarrassed or on the backfoot about.

Chill!

Follow the country rules. There is video evidence of them mingling together when they were told not to for first 3 days

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

There are mitigating circumstances.

Pakistani cricketers have had an exemplary UK tour and have lived in Covid bubble more than most teams - home and away. They are humans and it can happen. This has happened across the world in various sports, particularly before tournaments beginning, and not just to Pakistan cricket. This year is full of stories of players testing positive.

NZC should not be coming down like a schoolmaster either. Be respectful of those who have traveled to your country - it is definitely a privilege but it is for both teams. You can have a private word rather than being publicly loud.

Overall, there is nothing to be embarrassed or on the backfoot about.

Chill!

If they were in Pakistan or Europe/USA; it wouldn't be embarrassing. Because locals aren't serious enough.

But at a time when NZ have almost zero new cases and in come Pak cricket team with 6 cases...

 

[Junaids]

The six positives aren’t the only offenders - it just means most of the negatives had caught it previously.

You have to hold the management responsible. Halfwits!

 

[shah_1]

The six positives aren’t the only offenders - it just means most of the negatives had caught it previously.

You have to hold the management responsible. Halfwits!

Think the tour will be cancelled

 

[asadee]

Wonder if Wasim Khan will be shown the door after this

 

[chinaman00]

Another group of Pakistanis being unprofessional. Frankly, it doesn’t shock me. It’s what one expects when dealing with anything Pakistan.

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

I'm not exactly sure. 2 players were historically positive? Who allowed them to board the flight to New Zealand? The management is responsible for this disaster. Anyway, I expect this to pass and tour to go ahead without any further discrepancies.

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

Wonder if Wasim Khan will be shown the door after this

Why should he be held responsible? Do you think he only asked players to share food and mingle when clearly they were not supposed to?Knowing our paindu players, they will be the first ones to break rules and show it as a badge of honour.

 

[MenInG]

Wasim Khan has sent an audio message to all players and management

All members of squad take care of yourself

We all know this is a difficult time

You all have played most cricket in Covid-19 times

Take care of Covid-19 protocols

I am constantly in touch with NZC since morning

This tour is very important for Pakistan

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

If they were in Pakistan or Europe/USA; it wouldn't be embarrassing. Because locals aren't serious enough.

But at a time when NZ have almost zero new cases and in come Pak cricket team with 6 cases...

Happens. They are humans. Also young. It's happening everywhere in the world. They have been in bubble for months without disruption.

it's OK.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Follow the country rules. There is video evidence of them mingling together when they were told not to for first 3 days

That is why they are there early to get Covid free before the series starts. Lesson learnt. Shouldn't have done it but it's not a disaster.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Wasim Khan has sent an audio message to all players and management

All members of squad take care of yourself

We all know this is a difficult time

You all have played most cricket in Covid-19 times

Take care of Covid-19 protocols

I am constantly in touch with NZC since morning

This tour is very important for Pakistan

Good message. Balanced but firm.

No over the top drama.

 

[Forum363]

The NZ government needs to send us home. NZC will forfeit easy points but you cannot risk your public for cricket.

We are a disaster and have no shame.

I didn’t see you acting like this when Archer single handedly put tons of people, two series and a millions of pounds at risk due to his very deliberate and selfish actions?

 

[ARK Rafay]

Absolute Shame! Just like a Baraat is going

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Pakistan, spreading Corona across the Commonwealth.

The Empire strikes back.

 

[Runner Up]

Shameful stuff but this is the mindset of all Pakistanis here in Pakistan.

 

[Mamoon]

Why should he be held responsible? Do you think he only asked players to share food and mingle when clearly they were not supposed to?Knowing our paindu players, they will be the first ones to break rules and show it as a badge of honour.

Both the players and PCB need to take responsibility. As PCB CEO, Wasim needed to take necessary measures to ensure that the players do not break the rules.

You can forgive one or two, but to have six players test positive including the captain is a breakdown of the system and an illustration of PCB’s incompetence.

If PCB underestimated the stupidity of our players it is their problem.

 

[Mamoon]

I didn’t see you acting like this when Archer single handedly put tons of people, two series and a millions of pounds at risk due to his very deliberate and selfish actions?

It is not about 1-2 players. 6 players have tested positive including the captain.

It is a systematic failure and PCB have been badly exposed once again for their sheer incompetence.

They are clearly not capable of touring during this pandemic. It is too much of a risk. Time to send this team home.

 

[Ab Fan]

This is a very sad news and quite irresponsible from the players.

 

[Varun]

Poor New Zealand are one of the few nations to eradicate Covid completely and you have this 7th ranked cricket team coming in to undo the efforts lol.

 

[Forum363]

It is not about 1-2 players. 6 players have tested positive including the captain.

It is a systematic failure and PCB have been badly exposed once again for their sheer incompetence.

They are clearly not capable of touring during this pandemic. It is too much of a risk. Time to send this team home.

I’m sorry, but that’s complete rubbish. The PCB have set up strict guidelines and protocols. Short of locking the players in their rooms, there’s not much else they could have done. The individual players are obviously at fault but how exactly is this a systematic failure?

Compare this to the Archer situation. Players were allowed to get into their own cars and just make their own way to where they had to go. There was no form of tracking or scheduling. Archer was able to go home and come back to the bubble / mingle with people completely undetected. In fact, the ECB would never have found out if he was not stupid enough to mention it in passing.

Your double standards are being highlighted very clearly here.

 

[shariqnoor]

Over the top reaction. West Indies have been flouting the rules too. It's not easy being confined to your rooms 24 hours a day. Pakistan had an exemplary England tour covid wise so to say that Pakistani cricketers and management don't understand rules is harsh.

What Jofra Archer did in the summer was way worse. Why do we have to humanize westerners but berate our own?

 

[Titan24]

These are unprecedented times and moving from one quarantine to another without any family for few months now is not an easy task. Pakistani players have been in quarantine for possibly the longest time with almost non stop for around 5 months now. There is no way it cant take a toll.

I am not defending them but, at the same time cant judge them too. In an ideal world this shouldnt be happening but, its not an ideal world at the time and considering how badly covid-19 is being handled and taken by professional from all the field around the world.

 

[Bewal Express]

It is not about 1-2 players. 6 players have tested positive including the captain.

It is a systematic failure and PCB have been badly exposed once again for their sheer incompetence.

They are clearly not capable of touring during this pandemic. It is too much of a risk. Time to send this team home.

Billo has tested positive today- Should we consider that as incompetence on the part of the PPP. Who should pay the price for his positive test? Stop looking at everything as a chance to score cheap points.

 

[Bewal Express]

The solution is simple send home all the players that tested positive. And any player breaking protocols from now on should be banned for a year.

 

[Rana]

I saw a video of YouTube with the team in flight and Imam walking around interviewing players. No masks or poorly worn ones. That would be an easy one to avoid; not sure what else the team go up to.

I thought this group of 34+team management is their support bubble?

 

[Shaka81]

If players are not following COVID-19 rules, fine them and if they continue anyway drop them from the squad.
Also just because players from other countries are behaving like idiots and not following rules is not a defence. They should be punished too.

 

[chuck]

These are unprecedented times and moving from one quarantine to another without any family for few months now is not an easy task. Pakistani players have been in quarantine for possibly the longest time with almost non stop for around 5 months now. There is no way it cant take a toll.

I am not defending them but, at the same time cant judge them too. In an ideal world this shouldnt be happening but, its not an ideal world at the time and considering how badly covid-19 is being handled and taken by professional from all the field around the world.

Hmm, let's agree with your logic for a moment. Why then you willingly go to NZ knowing fully well what the required protocol is and knowing fully well that the players are not going to follow it. None of the things you presented was not known in advance including scheduling of matches. I am sorry but that seem like height of incompetence from PCB's point of view if we follow your logic.

 

[Ab Fan]

NZC are in need to recover the losses due to COVID-19 and hence its important to make this series happen successfully. But this is quite irresponsible. Strict measures need to be taken before it gets affected and spread among local people.

 

[GudduBadmash]

Irresponsible and selfish behaviour by those that broke the protocols. New Zealand have dealt with this pandemic better than any country. They invite you to their country and expect you to follow the rules like everyone else.

Those who were caught mingling need to be named, shamed and then sent back home with fines being put on them. If the tour gets cancelled because of this then it's probably a good wake up call. These guys will only learn if they are made examples of globally. So embarrassing for us as a country when these guys do this to us on the world stage.

 

[GudduBadmash]

It is not about 1-2 players. 6 players have tested positive including the captain.

It is a systematic failure and PCB have been badly exposed once again for their sheer incompetence.

They are clearly not capable of touring during this pandemic. It is too much of a risk. Time to send this team home.

Two of them are historical so remnants of the dead virus being picked up by ultra sensitive kits. I assume this would be Rizwan and Hafeez based on the names flying around so in theory these two are okay and incapable of passing it on to anyone else.

The other four are new that were not mentioned previously so they may very well have the potential to pass it on.

 

[Giannis]

According to stuff some players haven't been following isolation rules either.

"Team members were caught on surveillance footage mingling in hallways and sharing food, as well as leaving their rooms outside of allocated time slots"

This is kinda creepy, how does the government and media access private surveillance footage from a hotel? I'm all for reprimanding the players for violating the safety protocols but the whole accessing and publicizing surveillance footage is really weird from an American perspective.

 

[Mamoon]

I’m sorry, but that’s complete rubbish. The PCB have set up strict guidelines and protocols. Short of locking the players in their rooms, there’s not much else they could have done. The individual players are obviously at fault but how exactly is this a systematic failure?

Compare this to the Archer situation. Players were allowed to get into their own cars and just make their own way to where they had to go. There was no form of tracking or scheduling. Archer was able to go home and come back to the bubble / mingle with people completely undetected. In fact, the ECB would never have found out if he was not stupid enough to mention it in passing.

Your double standards are being highlighted very clearly here.

It is a systematic failure because not 1-2 but a total of 6 players have tested positive including the captain. Hence, whatever measures PCB took proved to be woefully inadequate.

Simply setting up strict guidelines is not enough. You also need to be be able to enforce these guidelines. PCB have been badly exposed as far as enforceability is concerned.