New Delhi: The seven Pakistani cricketers who tested positive for Covid-19 are likely to have contracted the virus somewhere between Lahore and the isolation facility in New Zealand, said Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ehsan Mani.
Speaking to Pakistani daily Dawn, Mani said, “It now needs to be examined and investigated how they could have contracted the virus but it is anticipated and understood that this happened somewhere between Lahore and the isolation facility. We are also investigating which players were infected first and how it was transmitted to others.”
Six members of the team had tested positive Tuesday after landing in New Zealand and starting the mandatory 14-day isolation period. A seventh member of the team tested positive Saturday.
In a statement Saturday, New Zealand’s health ministry, 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.”
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Covid protocols breached by players
The Pakistani cricket team had earlier been warned by the New Zealand health ministry for breaching isolation protocols on the first day of the mandatory quarantine period. The ministry claimed that the team had shared food and interacted with each other without masks on.
However, Mani claimed that the details of the breach were released by the New Zealand government “without any context”.
“There were a few minor breaches immediately upon the side’s arrival in New Zealand, which have been made public without providing any context. Despite these, I don’t think there is any danger to the series as our players are strictly following the isolation facility’s protocols,” said Mani.
He noted that the breaches mentioned by the New Zealand cricket board and health authorities happened when the players were checking in to the isolation facility.
“It was a 22-hour journey and players deserved a bit of grace period. Nevertheless, breaches have taken place and there is no hiding behind any excuses,” he said.
The Pakistani team had earlier been given permission to train in isolation but after the news of six players testing positive came out, the permission was revoked.
Pakistan is due to play three Twenty20 Internationals and two Tests from 18 December.
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