Pakistan’s vast extensive touring party has now been cleared to travel to Queenstown on Tuesday (December 8) to start training for the upcoming three-match T20I series against the Black Caps after having been confined to their rooms for the last two weeks in New Zealand.
The 54-member touring squad of Pakistan was confined to their rooms at the strictly arranged facility in Christchurch – where they were not even able to train for most of that time after 10 players tested positive for COVID-19 last week.
However, all the touring members except one player have now completed their mandatory quarantine period in New Zealand and cleared the final round of COVID-19 testing to be eligible to return to practice for the upcoming T20I series starting in Auckland on December 18.
On Tuesday, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and New Zealand health authorities have confirmed that the tourists have been cleared to leave quarantine in Christchurch after all they came back negative for COVID-19 and can start training in Queenstown for the upcoming three T20Is and two Tests.
The NZ health authorities stated: “After extensive testing and completion of their time in managed isolation in Christchurch, the Canterbury (district) medical officer of health is satisfied these people pose a very low risk to the community.”
Meanwhile, the PCB also shared a couple of pictures on its official Twitter handle on Tuesday to confirm the latest development.
The PCB wrote on Twitter: “Pakistan and Shaheens squad leave for Queenstown.”
Noteworthy, the health authorities have kept one person in isolation at the Christchurch quarantine hotel to ensure he recovers fully from the COVID-19 before joining the Pakistan squad.
(With AFP Inputs)
