Friday 35 Sports Friday, November 27, 2020 Pakistan cricketers ‘positive’ for COVID-19 in New Zealand Team receives ‘final warning’; 6 squad members test positive WELLINGTON: Pakistan’s cricket tour of New ‘Robust procedures’ Zealand was in the balance yesterday after six squad New Zealand has largely eradicated community members tested positive for COVID-19 and the team transmission of coronavirus recording just 1,684 cases received a “final warning” for flouting quarantine rules. and 25 deaths in a population of five million. Aggres- New Zealand health authorities revoked the Pakistan sive testing, snap lockdowns and effective contact players’ ability to train while in isolation at their tracing mean domestic life has largely returned to Christchurch hotel, making clear they would not tol- normal, but border control remain strict. All overseas erate risky behavior in a country that has largely erad- arrivals must undergo two weeks in quarantine, al- icated the virus. “It is a privilege to come to New though New Zealand Cricket negotiated special priv- Zealand to play sport, but in return teams must stick ileges to allow the tourists to train together. to the rules that are designed to keep COVID-19 out Health authorities said these had been revoked of our communities,” director-general of health, Ashley after several team members were seen on CCTV Bloomfield, said in a statement. “breaching managed isolation rules, despite clear, The health ministry said Pakistan’s 53-member tour consistent and detailed communication of ex- party, led by skipper Babar Azam, tested negative be- pected behaviors”. The tour is scheduled to being fore leaving Lahore and were swabbed again after ar- with the first of three Twenty20 internationals in riving for a spell of managed isolation on the South Auckland on December 18, followed by two Tests, Island on Tuesday. Six tests came back positive and but will be in jeopardy if there are any further those affected were moved into stricter quarantine, it breaches. NZC said it was having discussions with said, with New Zealand Cricket adding that four cases the tourists to ensure they understood the quar- were new and two were regarded as “historical”. antine requirements. New Zealand’s military helps “While this is disappointing for the Pakistan squad, manage border virus accommodation and air com- the testing outcomes and the actions taken show the modore Darryn Webb said there were robust pro- government system is working,” NZC said. Bloomfield cedures in place to deal with positive tests. “Our said CCTV showed members of the tour party focus is on keeping the rest of the squad and our breaching social distancing protocols. “The team as a staff safe,” he said. “For that reason, all other team whole has been issued with a final warning,” he said. members must remain in their rooms while inves- “It’s important to note that all incidents of breaches tigations continue.” Even before Pakistan arrived occurred within the facility and there is no risk to the on Kiwi soil the tour had been hit by ill health, with public.” The West Indies cricket team were also rep- Pakistan’s dashing opener Fakhar Zaman ruled out KUWAIT: Kuwaiti shooter Uqab Al-Shammari takes aim during the Crown Prince’s annual shooting tournament rimanded by New Zealand health authorities for sim- at the 11th hour with a persistent fever. The 30- at the shooting club in Al-Sulaibiya, north of Kuwait City yesterday. - Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat ilar breaches earlier this month when they were in year-old left-hander tested negative along with managed isolation. the rest of the squad. —AFP day. “We’ll try to remember him the best way possible, corruption officials, the national board Opportunity knocks as on the field representing the colors.” A second victory ICC probes Lanka and the sports ministry. Last week, Sri over the All Blacks, however unlikely it would have Lanka’s former fast bowling coach Pumas passion faces seemed just a few weeks ago, would plunge New T20 league over Nuwan Zoysa said he would appeal a de- Zealand rugby further into crisis. alleged match-fixing cision of an ICC-appointed tribunal second All Blacks test Ian Foster is under huge pressure after his first five which found him guilty of three offences games in charge netted two wins, a draw and two de- relating to match-fixing after a two-year feats, and should the All Blacks suffer three successive COLOMBO: The International Cricket SYDNEY: Argentina were written off by everybody Council is investigating an alleged at- investigation. but themselves before the start of the makeshift Tri- losses for the first time since 1998 it could well signal tempt to fix Sri Lankan Premier League Cricket-crazy Sri Lanka introduced a Nations tournament but will put one hand on their a premature end to his tenure. Flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez law against corruption in sport last year maiden southern hemisphere test title if they can find has scored every point in Argentina’s two matches, all matches due to start yesterday, a media report said. The complaint alleges a for- after then-sports minister Harin Fernando a way to beat New Zealand again this weekend. The but five from the kicking tee, so discipline will be es- declared that the ICC considered the In- Pumas sent shockwaves around the rugby world two sential if the All Blacks are to end their losing run, mer national cricketer approached a Lanka Premier League player, and is dian Ocean island the world’s most cor- weeks ago when they deservedly earned their first win which includes a 24-22 loss to Australia. Sanchez was rupt cricket nation. The Sri Lankan board over the three-times world champions with a 25-15 one of only five players retained in the starting side being looked at by the ICC’s Anti-Cor- victory in their first test in more than a year. ruption Unit (ACU), the mass-circulating and the ICC has conducted anti-corrup- for Saturday’s match as the Pumas face four matches tion programs for players and officials They followed that with a battling 15-15 draw with in four weeks against top quality test opposition. [ Lankadeepa said. “The former national Australia last week in Newcastle and, equal on points player who allegedly made the approach and set up a 24-hour hotline to report any Foster resisted the temptation to do the same, “suspicious or corrupt activity.” but with a game in hand over their rivals, have their first handing 12 of the players who started at Western is currently overseas,” the newspaper The tournament will be Sri Lanka’s major international silverware within their grasp. The Sydney Stadium two weeks ago the chance to re- said, adding that he had once been ac- odds would still have to be stacked against them but first top cricket since England abruptly deem themselves. Flanker Akira Ioane, lock Scott cused, but later cleared, of match-fixing the Pumas have been defying expectations with mis- pulled out of a two-match Test series in Barrett and prop Nepo Laulala are the new faces charges by the ICC. sionary zeal and an iron will since landing in Australia. as New Zealand look to end their season with a The ICC said it would not discuss any March as the coronavirus pandemic Their economically struggling homeland, which is ongoing investigation. The Sri Lanka spread. The start was delayed three times still reporting thousands of new cases of COVID-19 bang and a bonus point victory. “We have got an- other opportunity to finish the year on the level we board’s anti-corruption unit too declined because of coronavirus restrictions im- every day, suffered another blow on Wednesday when comment. The Twenty20 tournament posed by authorities to contain the virus football great Diego Maradona died. “He’s a big figure want to,” Foster said on Thursday. “We have got a opens Thursday without spectators, but which has claimed 94 lives and infected in our country and he epitomized a lot of the way the chance to win the championship and that means a nearly 21,000 people. —AFP Argentineans are,” coach Mario Ledesma said yester- lot to us.” —Reuters under the close scrutiny of the ICC anti-.