New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Monday confirmed the news of Pakistan's touring contingent returning negative in the fifth round of Coronavirus testing, adding that the visitors will now be allowed to leave their managed isolation by Tuesday (December 8), subject to clearance from the health ministry. 

The tourists were earlier denied training exemption during their quarantine after Kiwi health officials leant of as many as 8 positive cases within the Pakistani camp. These players will remain isolated while the rest finally get on with their pre-series training. 

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"This is to advise the Pakistan squad's fifth and final day 12, COVID-19 tests have all been returned as negative," NZC said in a statement. 

"As a consequence, and pending final Ministry of Health approval, the squad will leave managed isolation tomorrow and fly to Queenstown, where they will train ahead of the T20 and Test series against the BLACKCAPS."

Six players were initially tested positive on arriving New Zealand before the number jumped to eight. The additional positive cases only added to the scrutiny on tourists for their breach of the social distancing protocols, with a question mark also raised on Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) testing arrangements for the virus in Lahore. 

"The member of the Pakistan squad who tested positive on Day 6 will remain in managed isolation until departing, negative tests permitting," the NZC made clear. 

"Additionally, the member of the squad who was taken into quarantine in Auckland after arriving from Dubai feeling unwell but subsequently testing negative, has also been cleared to leave the facility."

Pakistan will face New Zealand in 3 T20Is and 2 Tests from December 18. 

(Inputs from PTI)