AUCKLAND: The Pakistan touring squad today (Tuesday) has left the managed isolation after the final clearance from New Zealand health authorities to begin its preparation for the Twenty20 and Test series.
All members of the squad tested negative on the 12th day of their 14-day stay in isolation and were allowed to travel to the South Island resort of Queenstown, where they can now train as a group.
New Zealand’s health minister, in a statement, said, “After extensive testing and completion of their time in managed isolation in Christchurch, the Canterbury DHB medical officer of health is satisfied these people pose a very low risk to the community.”
Pakistan and Shaheens squad reach Queenstown ????#HarHaalMainCricket #NZvPAK pic.twitter.com/OnwifLK2mi
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 8, 2020
However, one unidentified member of the 53-strong squad would stay in the facility after they tested positive on day six of their mandatory 14-day isolation that is applied to all arrivals as part of New Zealand’s strict border controls.
Six members of the 53-strong squad tested positive for COVID-19 on arrival and two more subsequently returned positive tests and were moved to the quarantine wing of their hotel.
One member of the squad also repeatedly tested negative in isolation but had been in quarantine in Auckland after showing signs of infection when they arrived. Cricketer Shadab Khan shared a picture with his teammates on Twitter with the caption life and smiles after quarantine.
Life and smiles after quarantine @iamzafargohar @HarisRauf14 @iMusaKhan @iFaheemAshraf @HussainTallat12 @RealImranButt @iamhaideraly pic.twitter.com/GDXMDZCOwn
— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan) December 8, 2020
Head coach Misbahul Haq earlier was quoted as saying the players had suffered mentally and physically during their time in isolation. “Top professional athletes require a certain environment to prepare so that they can perform at the minimum expected levels every time,” Misbah added.
