‘Will Send The Whole Team Back’: Final Warning To Pakistan Players In NZ Over COVID-19 Protocol Breach  

Pakistan Cricket Board CEO Wasim Khan has reportedly warned the Pakistan Cricket team players on tour in New Zealand to obey COVID-19 protocols in the country or the entire team will be sent back home.

In a WhatsApp voice note sent to Pakistan players on Thursday, Wasim Khan said that the "final warning" was given by both New Zealand Cricket and its government after six Pakistan players tested positive for the coronavirus on arriving in the country and “it will be embarrassing" if it happens.

He said, "They have a zero-tolerance policy and they've given us a final warning. We understand that this is a difficult time for you, and you went through similar conditions in England. It's not easy. But this is a matter of the nation's respect and credibility. Observe these 14 days and then you'll have the freedom to go to restaurants and roam about freely. They have told me in clear terms that if we commit one more breach, they'll send us home."

Closed-circuit television footage showed some members of the Pakistan squad had contravened protocols on the first day of managed isolation, states the report.

“Please guys, I know it’s difficult, it’s very tough, but do stay disciplined and follow through the protocols … they will not compromise on health and safety in New Zealand, so please adhere to it,” Khan told his players.

The Pakistan squad is due to play three T20s and two Tests in New Zealand and boarded a chartered flight from Lahore and landed in Auckland. They were shifted to Christchurch, where they were set to undergo 14 days of strict isolation.

All players were reportedly tested four times before their departure from Lahore to New Zealand and were negative on each occasion.

However, six players returned positive Covid-19 tests upon landing in New Zealand and were moved from managed isolation into quarantine.