Pakistan Cricket team upset with poor hospitality in New Zealand

Pakistan cricket team is currently serving their 14-day mandatory quarantine period in New Zealand before they lock horns against New Zealand team for a three-match T20I series starting from December 18, Auckland followed by a two-match Test series from December 26 in Mount Maunganui. However, it is reported that the visiting team is suffering from a lack of five-star hotel facilities since their arrival in New Zealand.

The Pakistan team is in isolation in Christchurch and they were asked to stop training by the local health ministry after 10 members of the squad tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the initial round of testing. Meanwhile, the players complained of poor hospitality from the hotel staff.

Reports in Cricket Pakistan website suggest that players are suffering from a lack of facilities while completing their isolation period. They are locked in their hotel rooms for 11 days and the bedsheets have not been changed since then. Also, the cleaning of the attached washrooms and rooms is pending. The squad members leave used towels outside their rooms, in bags, which are replaced with new ones by the hotel staff.

Pakistan players give clarification on breaking isolation rules in New Zealand

They have absolutely no interaction with anyone from the outside world as they are served food in disposable boxes instead of plates and more strictness has been applied after the positive coronavirus cases in the contingent.

A lot of hype was created when it was reported that the Men in Green were found violating the isolation rules by the local authorities. As a result, the players were also issued a warning of the cancelation of the whole tour. Speaking about the violation of SOPs, the source close to the team revealed that the transgressions were not part of the original protocols shared with them. It is also believed that all the players and support staff are strictly abiding by the rules and regulations.

Players had also shared their problems of not receiving good services in the hotel with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and they shared the same with New Zealand Cricket (NZC). However, the latter denied helping as they are also bound by the rules and regulations laid out by the government.

Players are also upset about PCB not taking any feedback from them rather they just asked captain Babar Azam and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq about continuing the tour. Though many players are in favour of staying back as only a few days are left for their quarantine period to get over.