South Africa head coach Mark Boucher said coronavirus restrictions and thousands of security staff at their bio-secure bubble made their ongoing tour of Pakistan “challenging”.
He further said the COVID-19 pandemic and the tight security restrictions are in place for the South Africa team in Pakistan forced them to spend a lot of time in their hotel rooms.
It is being said that a massive security detail made up of police and paramilitary personnel is guarding the South African team at their hotel and the stadium since the Proteas team is on its first tour of the country in 14 years after the 2009 terror attack on Sri Lankan team led to international cricket's departure from Pakistan.
Boucher told a virtual press conference: “It is challenging from a management perspective – especially when you are in a place like Pakistan where you can't get outside.”
On the COVID-19 restrictions, Boucher added: “Personally, I don't think it's sustainable from a financial and just a headspace point of view for players, for staff, for management. I think it's been necessary to get the game of cricket up and running. I think everyone understands that. But it doesn't make it easier.”
Noteworthy, the first Test of the two-Test series started on Tuesday (January 26) in Karachi and after the second Test in Rawalpindi (February 4-8), almost all the Proteas Test squad will return home prepare for the Australia series, and a separate squad will play in three T20Is on 11, 13 and 14 February in Lahore.
(With AFP Inputs)
