Why Pakistan’s Tour to New Zealand Was in Jeopardy?

WEB DESK: Pakistan cricket team is currently in New Zealand to play three T20Is and two Tests from 18th December and 26th December respectively. However even before Pakistan’s tour started, it was thrown in jeopardy for two major offenses that would have been considered minor in Pakistan.

In the first incident captured on CCTV camera, the players did not wear a mask while receiving their food tray whereas, in the other, they were talking to each other with the door open.

In Pakistan, it is normal because here we believe that Covid-19 is contracted when a person touches another one while in New Zealand, they consider even breathing the same air as deadly.

Who is to blame for the recklessness?

It was cricket board’s duty to teach the players about the Do’s and Dont’s of spending time during Pakistan’s tour to New Zealand and I am certain that the players must have been briefed, why the incident happened is something to be ashamed of. 

The players acted as if they were in Pakistan, talking to each other with their doors open, and took isolation as something like a classroom punishment when it was far more serious.

One can’t also blame the New Zealand Cricket Board and their government as well.

When the world was trying to handle the COVID-19, New Zealand was the first country to tackle it effectively. 

To roam around without a mask (even within the premises of the hotel) or accept the tray casually in that country was not acceptable.

Imagine if during Pakistan’s tour, the Zimbabweans had done the same thing in Pakistan; they would also have been reprimanded for endangering the lives of those who are following the SOPs and taking precautions.

Why has Pakistan sent so many players and officials to New Zealand?

Many believe that Pakistan sent a huge squad down under because they weren’t sure how the wickets will behave during the series. 

That’s a misconception because for many reasons – some players from the 34-member squad (minus Fakhr Zaman) will represent Pakistan in the international matches, the rest would be part of the Pakistan Shaheens’ squad that will take on New Zealand’s A side in different matches.

Due to Covid-19, things have changed all over the world and cricket is no different.

Sending both the main team as well the Shaheens together was done to minimize finances (read logistics) and control coronavirus spread. 

However, it would have been better had PCB arranged for a chartered flight for the 54-member contingent as it would have kept them away from other passengers, and saved them a lot of traveling time.

And then there was the stupid in-flight video that was shot during the plane trip and edited afterward. 

In the video, the players were seen in a non-serious mode that’s usually required for Pakistan Super League (PSL) and not international cricket and could be seen roaming around as if they were going on a family picnic. 

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Thankfully, the video was removed after some of the players were tested positive on reaching abroad, and one hopes that seriousness will prevail during the tour.

Are the players being treated like prisoners?

A certain section of the press feels that the Pakistani cricketers are being treated like prisoners in New Zealand. 

They will go through mental torture if not allowed to go out. 

The question that arises from these reports is: didn’t the players know beforehand that they might be spending 14 -days minimum in isolation? Shouldn’t they have been prepared for that and planned something like Younis Khan who is fasting and praying during the same period? 

Fitness freaks keep themselves fit even in solitary confinement and they don’t even get paid for that. 

Pakistani players should keep themselves busy in this digital age by watching Netflix, making notes of matches played in New Zealand or following world cricket to broaden their minds and learn a thing or two. 

They will have a big opportunity to get used to the conditions down under. 

They can’t blame this isolation period if they lose the matches because they are not the first team to be isolated and not the last. 

Being casual is not the answer to being indoors, the players should try to act mature and professionally and make most of the leisure time they have.