What's new

What should Pakistan do in response to the stern warning from New Zealand Health Minister?

What should Pakistan do in response to the stern warning from New Zealand Health Minister?


  • Total voters
    49
The response should be to not repeat the same mistake and put others in danger.
 
As someone who lives in New Zealand I will try to provide some context on a few points.

Firstly, the New Zealand public had to go through a full lockdown of over a month where most businesses were forced to close and people were told to stay inside their house in all but the most essential of circumstances (like to get food supplies). Some people lost their jobs and businesses and also many relationships were strained from being housebound. Because the New Zealand people went through this lockdown, seeing people who have been allowed in to our country ignore our systems put in place (after agreeing to them beforehand no less) is seen by many as a slap in the face to our efforts and sacrifice.

Second, the New Zealand people like to view themselves as egalitarian. Obviously we aren't all equally as successful as each other and people don't treat each other identically. However it is a cultural phenomenon here that people strongly dislike those who flout rules meant for all, especially when those actions are perceived to come from someone who has either a sense of self importance, or an easy life (i.e a well paid professional athlete). The journalists that are publicly criticizing the Pakistani team are trying to rile up controversy knowing that certain people in NZ will eat it up.

Third, regarding the 'privilege' of coming to play in NZ. I am a bit confused by this criticism as even in healthy times of prosperity it is a privilege to come and play sports in NZ. This is not just the case in NZ, but surely in all countries. It is also not just tied to sports but to all guests and new residents. This comes down to the broader concept of allowing people in to ones own home. All countries investigate all people who wish to come in to their country and if they meet a certain standard they are allowed in. If only some people are allowed in then those who got to enter were 'privileged' enough to gain entry and those who were not allowed in did not get that 'privilege'.

Fourth, our country has largely accepted a harsh and heavy handed way to combat this virus as we have seen how badly it has affected other countries. Italy was looking in a very bad state when we enacted our restrictions. The government has largely been praised for its efforts to fight Covid but the one biggest criticism it has faced has been leaks in its border controls. This is why the Director General of Health has been so forceful with his remarks in the case with the West Indies and Pakistan cricket teams.

Finally I see one or two people have brought up race. I am sorry but this is just incorrect and displays a little bit of ignorance on New Zealand politics (Which is fair enough, we are small and our politics is largely only relevant locally). The party we voted in is the more politically correct party who is likely to bend over backwards to not be racist.

Let us hope that all the Pakistani cricketers get healthy soon and there are no more mishaps or disagreements and we can have an entertaining and close series of cricket matches with all players available.
 
Actually one more thing. The New Zealand government would happily let New Zealand Cricket as an organisation die if the other choice was community transmission of Covid.
 
It's possible to have a nuanced discussion about this, instead of making it black and white.

Yes Pakistan shouldn't have broken the quarantine protocol and should have been reprimanded.

But which "special dispensation" are you talking about? This wording and similar wording suggests Pakistan were begging NZ to play NZ in NZ. Pakistan are not entering NZ like they are immigrants or tourists. They are representing Pakistan as a country. NZ could have just cancelled the tour.

The special dispensation that allows them to enter the country and also not have to go through the same full quarantine process returning citizens would have to go through.

They broke the law, a public reprimand is a pretty reasonable action in response to that.
 
The special dispensation that allows them to enter the country and also not have to go through the same full quarantine process returning citizens would have to go through.

They broke the law, a public reprimand is a pretty reasonable action in response to that.

The whole discussion is a real mind opener and shows why NZ is where it is and why Pakistan (and India) is where it is in most global standings.

Too many lilliputian self-inflated VIPs followed by sub-IQ fans/followers//worshippers roaming around our countryside. We will not take anything critical about our little spoilt stars with their pathetic little achievements, about whom no one cares outside the bubble they live in.

It’s in Pakistan and Pakistani fans interest to keep the whole incident low profile and hopefully forgotten. Any more self-righteous whining will bring more global visibility making NZ PM and its regulators as heroes in the eyes of 7+ billion people in the world, where thousands are killed every day by Covid19 and will just confirm to the world why Pakistani (and to a large extent Indian) passports are not welcome in most places.

I am sorry but it’s a lose-lose for Pakistan.

Accept. Apologise. Move on.
 
Last edited:
The special dispensation that allows them to enter the country and also not have to go through the same full quarantine process returning citizens would have to go through.

They broke the law, a public reprimand is a pretty reasonable action in response to that.

Ok, in that case the "special dispensation" should be appreciated, although some people talk as if Pakistan won a lottery by getting the opportunity to play in NZ. Again, this should be more compared to diplomats visiting rather than the general public.

With respect to the public scolding, I highly doubt the same would have happened if it was Eng, India or Australia doing this. It would have most likely happened under the covers.

No one is actually supporting what was done by the team. But the public response by the NZ was not the right thing to do either.
 
Another feather in our cap for off-field issues which find new heights every passing series. What next?

Yes, NZ media has blown this radically out of proportion but end of the day they have cashed in on our jahalat, lack of education, lack of manners, etiquette.
 
Think all this will blow over soon - some commonsense needs applying on both sides.

No one is dead and infection has not been passed out of the facility.
 
Think all this will blow over soon - some commonsense needs applying on both sides.

No one is dead and infection has not been passed out of the facility.

Shouldn't their be consequences for the players who have breached the protocols ?
 
I don’t blame PAK players all together either - it’s a cultural problem of not abiding by the rules or regulations. I know, it might ruffle some cocky feathers, but few days back I called it then & then when PAK’s Prime Minister was doing khullam khulla photo session with Afghan players ..... if that’s from Oxbridge educated leadership, what can we expect from half literate players often born in poverty and now in lavish lifestyle for their cricket skills?

At the end of the day, I’ll put blame on Ehsan Mani - old, soft guy who couldn’t establish the fear among players regarding rules, regulations & consequences, what is required sometimes. I’m sure if it was Sethi, things would have been different. Few years back there was a famous picture in PP - some Shakib Al Hasan begging pardon on his keens to the then BCB chairman..... literally that was what saved his career, otherwise guy had sports car, girls and started weekend Bangkok trips ....
 
The NZC can't afford for this tour to be cancelled. It's an important cog in this summer and will ensure that the year's finances aren't ravaged.

At the same time, it's incredible what a bunch of no-hopers Pakistan cricketers have always been. The ground rules were laid out weeks ago, and yet they prattle around and disobey common sense with impunity. If at all cases are introduced by the dozen in our cities again, you know exactly where it came from.
 
I am just catching up on this story. So, they went to the only country on Earth which has essentially beaten COVID, they took at least sevven players who had COVID, some of those players got caught spreading the virus without a care in the world and now THEY are considering cancelling the tour?
 
I am just catching up on this story. So, they went to the only country on Earth which has essentially beaten COVID, they took at least sevven players who had COVID, some of those players got caught spreading the virus without a care in the world and now THEY are considering cancelling the tour?

Well they didn't know they had the infection until they were tested in New Zealand.
 
Well they didn't know they had the infection until they were tested in New Zealand.

Isn't that the whole point of quarantine? You stay in till you are sure you dont have it

Anyways look like the warning has worked and new zealnd officials have said the team is behaving better
 
Isn't that the whole point of quarantine? You stay in till you are sure you dont have it

Anyways look like the warning has worked and new zealnd officials have said the team is behaving better

Absolutely. Instead they weren't adhering to the advice.

Yes hopefully they've learnt their lesson after being publicly named and shamed.
 
Despite NZ governments Trumpian language Pakistani players were the ones who breached the SOP. PCB should apologize to NZ people and move on.
 
Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield has apologised for accepting tickets to a Black Caps match, after being lobbied for access to the Covid-19 vaccine at the game.

Bloomfield has faced questions this week about attending the Twenty20 match between the Black Caps and Australia on Sunday, where New Zealand Cricket lobbied him for early access to the Covid-19 vaccine, so its cricket players could attend matches overseas.

He had said he attended the match in a “private capacity”, but on Thursday issued a statement saying, “I was incorrect”.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has come into bat for Bloomfield, saying: "I don't think anyone in New Zealand would want to deny Dr Bloomfield the opportunity to watch some cricket.”

“If someone raises a question mark over travel and vaccinations, I don't immediately take the view that anyone had any ill-intent with that – certainly not Dr Bloomfield,” she said to reporters at an event in the Hawkes Bay.

Bloomfield, in his statement, said he now recognised he was invited to the game due to his position as the director-general of health.

“It is important that I avoid any potential for perception of a conflict of interest or personal benefit.”

Bloomfield said he thought he was acting within the expectations set for how public sector chief executives should receive gifts and benefits.
.
“On re-reading the guidelines, I now accept that declaring the complimentary tickets to the game on a gift register was insufficient and that they should have been refused, as they will be from now on.”

He said he had now clarified this with the Public Service Commissioner Peter Hughes.

“I have donated the price of the tickets, and also the price of tickets to two Hurricanes games last year (also previously declared), to Wellington City Mission.”

New Zealand's Ish Sodhi bowls to Australia during their 5th T20 cricket international match at Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington on Sunday, March.

Bloomfield, when attending the match on Sunday, was invited to meet the Black Caps in the changing room at Wellington Regional Stadium.

“We talked about a range of things, mostly the cricket game that was on; in passing, the conversation that happened around vaccines, I said that I would take that away,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

"But obviously, I didn't make any promises. No decisions were taken. And it's one of a number of conversations I've had with a whole range of parties.”

He said he received regular representations from groups about who should have access to the vaccine when, and had recently spoken with Sport NZ chief executive Raelene Castle​ about vaccine access for Olympians.

"I have regular conversations with different groups who contact me directly. I am very accessible about clarity around access to vaccines. This came up is a small part of a conversation,” he said.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Wednesday confirmed its chief executive David White had raised the prospect of players receiving a Covid-19 vaccine with Bloomfield at the match.

But NZC said it had not applied undue pressure. The organisation has not received a response to its plea, though has said it remains hopeful its players will move up the queue.

The Government has yet to settle on the criteria for any early access to the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for “national significance” reasons, which could include a need to represent New Zealand in sports matches overseas.

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins, when announcing the schedule for the vaccine roll-out on Wednesday, was unwilling to speak on who might fit within the category.

“I’m not going to comment on sports teams, because we will set out that national interest criteria very clearly once Cabinet’s signed that off,” he said.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/po...ing-cricket-match-tickets-after-being-lobbied
 
Ashley Bloomfield is a national treasure, and it’s refreshing to see a robust attitude towards inducements.
 
I just so wish we had pulled out of NZ tour.

But our mind set has always been to be bloody patient & persistent…and hence the world takes advantage..
 
The NZC can't afford for this tour to be cancelled. It's an important cog in this summer and will ensure that the year's finances aren't ravaged.

At the same time, it's incredible what a bunch of no-hopers Pakistan cricketers have always been. The ground rules were laid out weeks ago, and yet they prattle around and disobey common sense with impunity. If at all cases are introduced by the dozen in our cities again, you know exactly where it came from.

Where are those who were saying New Zealand don’t need Pakistan?
 
Back
Top