<p>Six touring Pakistan cricketers including former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed have tested positive for Covid-19 here, New Zealand Cricket announced on Thursday.</p>.<p>The host cricket board also alleged a breach of the bio-secure protocol by the visitors who have been asked not train in quarantine and issued a "final warning".</p>.<p>A jumbo 53-strong Pakistan squad, led by Babar Azam, arrived in New Zealand on Tuesday and is serving a mandatory 14-day quarantine period as per Covid-19 protocol.</p>.<p>"Two of these six results have been deemed 'historical'; four have been confirmed as new," NZC said in a statement without revealing the names of the players who have tested positive for the dreaded virus.</p>.<p>However sources in the PCB said that the six were Sarfaraz, Mohammed Abbas, Abid Ali, Naseem Shah, Rohail Nazir, Danish Aziz.</p>.<p>All six members of the squad will be moved to the quarantine arm of a managed isolation facility. Pakistan are here for three T20 Internationals and two Tests. The series begins December 18 in Auckland.</p>.<p>"As a consequence, the Pakistan team's exemption to train while in managed isolation has been put on hold until investigations have been completed," the NZC stated.</p>.<p>The home board also spoke of a protocol breach but did not specify the exact nature of it.</p>.<p>"Separately, NZC has also been made aware that some members of the Pakistan team had contravened protocols on the first day of managed isolation.</p>.<p>"We will be having discussions with the tourists to assist them in understanding the requirements," the NZC statement added.</p>.<p>According to New Zealand media, the Canterbury District Health Board's medical officer of health has sent a letter to the squad's management saying all team members must stay in their rooms until further advised.</p>.<p>The breaches, reportedly caught on CCTV cameras, happened despite "clear, consistent and detailed communication of expected behaviours" according to a health ministry spokeswoman.</p>.<p>The country's Director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said rule breaking was being taken very seriously.</p>.<p>"It is a privilege to come to New Zealand to play sport, but in return teams must stick to the rules that are designed to keep Covid-19 out of our communities and keep our staff safe," Bloomfield was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz.</p>.<p>"The team as a whole has been issued with a final warning," he said.</p>.<p>At least 10 Pakistan cricketers had tested positive for Covid-19 before the team's England tour earlier this year.</p>.<p>Prior to leaving Lahore, all members of the Pakistan squad returned negative results on the four occasions they were tested.</p>.<p>In addition to the senior squad, Pakistan's A team is also here to compete in a couple of four-day matches beginning December 10. </p>
<p>Six touring Pakistan cricketers including former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed have tested positive for Covid-19 here, New Zealand Cricket announced on Thursday.</p>.<p>The host cricket board also alleged a breach of the bio-secure protocol by the visitors who have been asked not train in quarantine and issued a "final warning".</p>.<p>A jumbo 53-strong Pakistan squad, led by Babar Azam, arrived in New Zealand on Tuesday and is serving a mandatory 14-day quarantine period as per Covid-19 protocol.</p>.<p>"Two of these six results have been deemed 'historical'; four have been confirmed as new," NZC said in a statement without revealing the names of the players who have tested positive for the dreaded virus.</p>.<p>However sources in the PCB said that the six were Sarfaraz, Mohammed Abbas, Abid Ali, Naseem Shah, Rohail Nazir, Danish Aziz.</p>.<p>All six members of the squad will be moved to the quarantine arm of a managed isolation facility. Pakistan are here for three T20 Internationals and two Tests. The series begins December 18 in Auckland.</p>.<p>"As a consequence, the Pakistan team's exemption to train while in managed isolation has been put on hold until investigations have been completed," the NZC stated.</p>.<p>The home board also spoke of a protocol breach but did not specify the exact nature of it.</p>.<p>"Separately, NZC has also been made aware that some members of the Pakistan team had contravened protocols on the first day of managed isolation.</p>.<p>"We will be having discussions with the tourists to assist them in understanding the requirements," the NZC statement added.</p>.<p>According to New Zealand media, the Canterbury District Health Board's medical officer of health has sent a letter to the squad's management saying all team members must stay in their rooms until further advised.</p>.<p>The breaches, reportedly caught on CCTV cameras, happened despite "clear, consistent and detailed communication of expected behaviours" according to a health ministry spokeswoman.</p>.<p>The country's Director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said rule breaking was being taken very seriously.</p>.<p>"It is a privilege to come to New Zealand to play sport, but in return teams must stick to the rules that are designed to keep Covid-19 out of our communities and keep our staff safe," Bloomfield was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz.</p>.<p>"The team as a whole has been issued with a final warning," he said.</p>.<p>At least 10 Pakistan cricketers had tested positive for Covid-19 before the team's England tour earlier this year.</p>.<p>Prior to leaving Lahore, all members of the Pakistan squad returned negative results on the four occasions they were tested.</p>.<p>In addition to the senior squad, Pakistan's A team is also here to compete in a couple of four-day matches beginning December 10. </p>