Six members of Pakistan contingent in New Zealand test positive for Covid-19

Six members of Pakistan's touring contingent in New Zealand have tested positive for Covid-19. According to an NZC release, four are new cases, while two of the positive results have been deemed "historical".

It is unclear whether the six who tested positive are players or other members of Pakistan's touring party.

The results are from tests conducted upon Pakistan's arrival in New Zealand on November 24. Each member of the squad will have to undergo a minimum of four tests while in managed isolation.

The six who tested positive have been moved to a different floor of the managed isolation facility in Christchurch where Pakistan are currently based. The team will not be able to train until investigations are completed, and their 14-day quarantine period has been reset, meaning it begins afresh.

NZC also revealed that some members of the Pakistan contingent had "contravened protocols" on day one of their managed isolation. "We will be having discussions with the tourists to assist them in understanding the requirements," the release said.

A New Zealand Ministry of Health release said these breaches of protocol had been caught on CCTV, and that the team has been issued a "final warning."

It is understood that another breach can get the player involved deported, and put the entire tour in jeopardy.

ESPNcricinfo has also learned that assistant coach Shahid Aslam hasn't joined the rest of the team in Christchurch. He is undergoing his 14-day quarantine in Auckland - Pakistan's first port of entry into New Zealand - after declaring a sore throat in his travelling form. He has cleared a Covid-19 test and will join the rest of the team when his quarantine ends.

According to New Zealand Covid regulations, the tourists need to be isolated in separate rooms, not permitted to mix with each other for the fortnight to be spent in quarantine. They will be tested on the third and twelfth days of isolation. Once they return negative tests, they will not need to form a bio-secure bubble within the country, given the near-total absence of community transmission of Covid-19 in New Zealand.

New Zealand earlier issued a warning to the touring West Indies party for breaching quarantine regulations during isolation. They were found to be socialising in the hallways, which Covid regulations do not allow.

All members of the Pakistan contingent who flew out of Lahore had returned negative results from four separate tests. Opening batsman Fakhar Zaman had been left out of the tour as a precautionary measure after showing possible symptoms of Covid-19.

Pakistan are due to play three T20Is on December 18, 20 and 22 in Auckland, Hamilton and Napier respectively, before playing two Tests in Mount Maunganui (December 26-30) and Christchurch (January 3-7).