6 members of Pakistan squad in New Zealand test positive for Covid

Earlier this month the West Indies cricket squad - who are also in New Zealand - were also briefly banned from training and confined to their hotel rooms after CCTV showed them sharing meals and mingling together in breach of managed isolation guidelines.

"NZC was made aware today that six members of the Pakistan touring squad, now in managed isolation in Christchurch, have tested positive for COVID-19", said the board in a statement.

In a statement posted on its website, NZC said it was "made aware today that six members of the Pakistan touring squad, now in managed isolation in Christchurch, have tested positive for Covid-19".

This afternoon's cases come after the other cricketing squad touring New Zealand now - the West Indies - had their training exemption revoked for " repeatedly" breaking managed isolation rules in Christchurch earlier this month. Various members of the squad were seen violating SOPs through CCTV.

It is important to mention that the squad had tested negative four times before leaving Lahore.

In a statement, the Ministry said that the team as a whole has been issued with a final warning.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the medical officer of health at Canterbury District Health Board had sent a letter to the squad's management to be communicated to the whole team, reinforcing that all team members were required to stay in their rooms until advised otherwise.

New Zealand has been widely praised for its approach to handling the coronavirus and has reported just over 2,000 total cases and 25 deaths since the pandemic began, according to the John Hopkins University of Medicine.

Aggressive testing, snap lockdowns and effective contact tracing mean domestic life has largely returned to normal, but border control remain strict.

England men's cricket team will visit Pakistan for the first time in 16 years when they play two Twenty20 internationals in Karachi in October 2021.

NZC said it was having discussions with the tourists to ensure they understood the quarantine requirements. On the sidelines, Pakistan Shaheens will also play two 4-day games against New Zealand A on the tour.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) while confirming the news said that members had violated the Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) on the first day of isolation. The team has also been stopped from training until further investigation.

According to health officials, 53 members of the the squad arrived in Christchurch on 24 November and were tested on day one.