Pakistan coach Misbah-Ul-Haq has said that the ban on Pakistan team training during their quarantine period in New Zealand is hampering their preparations for the upcoming series.

Thus far, eight members of the 53-strong Pakistan squad have tested positive for coronavirus since their arrival, prompting the New Zealand health ministry to revoke the tourists' training exemption on Friday.  

"Top professional athletes require a certain environment to prepare so that they can perform at the minimum expected levels. While we completely respect and understand the New Zealand government laws ... there is no denying the fact that the implementation of certain regulations has affected our athletes, both mentally and physically,” Misbah said while revealing Pakistan’s 18-man squad for the T20I series.

Misbah, however, backed the Pakistani team, currently undergoing a 14-day isolation period, to challenge the home side, which beat West Indies in the T20Is and won the first Test by an innings.

"...when we will leave the isolation facility in the next day or two, we will try to put all this behind us and focus on the challenge of facing New Zealand in both the formats," said the former Pakistan captain and chief selector.

Former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and all-rounder Hussain Talat were included in the T20I team against New Zealand for the series which begins on December 18 in Auckland.

"For the T20Is, we have retained the squad that has been playing together for some time. The squad comprises young, talented and high-performing players, who are determined and eager to make names for themselves and further cement their places in the side,” Misbah said.

(Reuters inputs)