PCB adopts cautious approach ahead of New Zealand tour

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asked the players and support staff, who are not participating in the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) playoffs but are bound for New Zealand tour, to remain indoors after increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the country.

According to details, the PCB’s medical panel wants the Pakistan squad to strictly follow Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) before their departure for New Zealand. Players have also been advised to only carry out necessary training drills at the ground.

It must be noted that the Pakistan squad will undergo 14-day quarantine period in New Zealand, where the players will remain in separate groups and will be tested trice for Covid-19.

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Strict Covid-19 SOPs are in place in New Zealand which was evident from the fact that the West Indies squad were banned by New Zealand’s Ministry of Health from training after they breached biosecurity rules.

The team had been allowed to train in small groups while undergoing the mandatory 14-day isolation, but the Ministry revoked those privileges after they discovered players had shared food and socialised together.

The 35-member touring party, which also includes Pakistan Shaheens team, will leave for New Zealand on November 23 to take part in three-match T20I series and two-Test series.