PCB confirms eight confirmed COVID-19 cases

The Pakistan Cricket Board via a press release confirmed that eight of the total 54 members in New Zealand have been tested positive of COVID-19. Released on Wednesday, the document mentions that New Zealand authorities will decide for those who continue to return negative results.

The Pakistan cricket team and management reached New Zealand on November 24, with their schedule stating three T20Is and two test matches later this month. However, a spree of COVID-19 cases has left the tour on the fence. New Zealand, one of the first country to announce complete relief from the pandemic has been hit by a second wave. In its official statement the Pakistani board mentioned that tests were conducted on day one, three and six. The tests on day nine, that is Thursday will determine if the remaining team is allowed to practice. The visitors can’t engage in any on field activity without the approval from the New Zealand Health Ministry.

How Did The Situation Reach This Point And Who Will Take Responsibility Now?

A few days later, a total of six touring members tested positive with two of them turned out to be historical cases and they were allowed back to the team floor in isolation while the remaining four joined the other infected teammates on a separate floor in quarantine. It further stated that the players were isolated from the first day they landed in the Kiwi land.

PCB stated in an official release, “Out of 54, a total of eight Pakistan cricket team members have tested positive following day one, three, and six tests. After day nine (Thursday) tests, all those who will continue to return negative tests and subject to final approval from the New Zealand Health Ministry are expected to be able to train for the remainder of their time in the managed isolation.”

The Recent Press Release That Was Given Out Giving More Updates And Exclusive Cricket News

“Following Day 12 tests and subject to New Zealand Health Ministry’s final approval, all those who will clear the 14-day health check will be able to leave the managed isolation facility.”

New Zealand have recently concluded a T20 series against West Indies, which they won 2-0 following an abandoned last game. They will further engage in a two test series as a part of the World Test Championship. After the game in whites finishes on December 15, Kane Williamson and company play Pakistan from December 18. Babar Azam’s Pakistan are scheduled to stay in the island country till January 7, after the conclusion of a test match contest, however, the COVID-19 scare could bring changes in the schedules of both teams.

In a statement on Saturday, New Zealand’s health ministry had confirmed the seventh case when it said, “One additional member of the Pakistan squad has today tested positive during routine testing. The remainder of the results from the squad’s Day 3 swab testing — apart from the six who have already returned a positive result, are negative.”

What Next For Cricket With The T20 World Cup Coming Up?

With another international trophy coming up soon, the ICC will want to sort things out. The Coronavirus pandemic has been causing a lot of serious concerns in the recent times. Lot of tournaments have been rescheduled due to the same. Though it is understandable in a smaller series, it will be totally unacceptable to cancel a major event.

Both the IPL 2021 and the T20 World Cup could be threatened, if there is a relapse of the disease. That is why, severe precautions need to be taken and the players need to follow these norms.

Recently, the ODI series between the England and South Africa was cancelled due to the violation of the safety rules. This becomes a huge factor with regards to social responsibilities. It will be a major talking point with regards to ICC events.

Further, the competition (T20 World Cup in 2021) is said to be held in India. Though there is positive news regarding that and the success of the IPL 2021 will be a prerequisite for that, it will be interesting to see what happens now. The current scenario for sports in the world is a complicated one. Hopefully, such issues can be resolved and the fans get what they want, some brilliant cricket.