Pakistan cricketers hit ‘mentally, physically’ by NZ COVID
for the coronavirus, forcing New Zealand health authorities to withdraw permission for the team to train in isolation.
Early in their stay several team members were caught mingling at their four-star quarantine hotel in Christchurch, in breach of the managed isolation rules.
“Top professional athletes require a certain environment to prepare so that they can perform at the minimum expected levels every time they represent their countries,” Misbah said in a statement.
He said Pakistan does “respect and understand” the health and safety regulations, but “there is no denying the fact that the implementation of certain regulations has affected our athletes, both mentally and physically, prior to an international series”.
All overseas arrivals to New Zealand must spend two weeks
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC) — Jason Holder has been knocked from the top of the all-rounders rankings and has also been overtaken by Jermaine Blackwood as the highest-ranked West Indies batsman, following the first Test debacle against New Zealand last weekend in Hamilton.
The 29-year-old Holder endured a lean time with both bat and ball as the Caribbean side suffered a chastening innings and 134-run defeat at Seddon Park in less than four days, and slipped to second in the all-rounders charts and 44th in the batting rankings — losing three spots.
Opting to bowl first at Seddon Park, West Indies watched as New Zealand piled up 519 for seven declared with Holder going wicketless. He then managed only 25 not out and eight as West Indies were bundled out for 138 and 247, to fall 1-0 behind in the two-test series.
Captain Holder also suffered in in quarantine, with sports teams that return negative tests after three days granted permission to train together in isolation.
On Friday, 10 days after the Pakistan team arrived, New Zealand health officials said “ongoing concerns” about the risk of further infections meant their training ban could not be lifted.
“I want to compliment my players and the management team for their patience,
the bowlers rankings, dropping two spots to seventh. He remained one of three Caribbean players in the top 20, with Kemar Roach slipping to 16th and Shannon Gabriel moving up to 19th.
Both Roach and Gabriel finished with three wickets apiece during the New Zealand innings.
Blackwood, meanwhile, climbed 17 places to 41st following his superb 104 in the second innings — his second Test hundred.
The position is the Jamaican’s best since reaching 40th nearly 3 ½ years ago.
Blackwood was the only specialist West Indies batsman to pass 30 in the contest as West Indies’ inconsistent batting was once again exposed.
Tail-ender Alzarri Joseph was the only other Windies player to pass 50 when he stroked a career-best 86 — his maiden Test half-century — in a 155-run, seventh-wicket partnership with sacrifices and the hardships they have endured to ensure they not only lead the safe resumption of international cricket during the COVID-19 pandemic...but also try to give their best every time they step on the field,” Misbah said.
New Zealand Cricket said the negative tests meant the touring party would be allowed to leave isolation on Tuesday, pending health department approval, to prepare for their first Twenty20 match against the Black Caps on December 18.
The New Zealand health ministry refused to confirm the results of the team’s latest tests.
Blackwood in the second innings.
For his heroics, the 24-yearold Joseph jumped 31 spots to a career-best 123rd.
Blackwood, Holder and wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich — the latter of whom did not bat in either innings at Seddon Park due to injury — are the only West Indies batsmen in the top 50.
For the Black Caps, Captain Kane Williamson climbed to second — following his monumental career-best 251 — to be level with Indian maestro Virat Kohli, with Australian Steve Smith remaining top.
Left-armer Neil Wagner jumped to second in the bowlers’ rankings after his six wickets in the first Test against the Windies, while Tim Southee moved into fourth after taking five wickets in the match.
Australian Pat Cummins heads the bowling rankings while England’s Ben Stokes has taken over from Holder at the top of the all-rounders’ list.