Ahead Pakistan tour of New Zealand, three more members found positive for COVID-19

Three more members of the Pakistan cricket team's touring contingent have tested positive for coronavirus in New Zealand, taking the total number to 10. In the fresh round of tests, a total of 46 members of the Pakistan unit were reportedly tested for COVID-19, as per AAP.

Pakistan squad are already on a final warning after breaching the tight quarantine restrictions and their preparations are also hindered with coronavirus cases increasing. The Pakistan cricket team is in New Zealand for a tour starting on December 18 with a 3-match T20I series and a 2-match Test series, ending on January 7.

The 34-member touring squad, excluding Fakhar Zaman, arrived in New Zealand on Tuesday, November 24. The players were accompanied by 20 officials and all 54 members were to be in a mandatory 14-day quarantine at the Hilton Hotel.

Earlier,



New Zealand's director-general of health Dr. Ashley Bloomfield had slammed Pakistan for not respecting the guidelines set by the authorities.

"The team as a whole has been issued with a final warning. It is a privilege to come to New Zealand to play sport, but in return, teams must stick to the rules that are designed to keep COVID-19 out of our communities and keep our staff safe," said top health official Ashley Bloomfield.

"Not being able to train is not a punishment, that was a requirement anyway for the first three days. Looking at Day 3 test results and CCTV footage, we will have to make a judgment on if or when they may be allowed to be exempt from the arrangement everyone else has to undertake, so they're allowed to break off in bubbles and train. I take a dim view of what we've seen already and we'll take it really seriously."