CHRISTCHURCH: Not being allowed to train in their managed isolation in Christchurch has affected Pakistan’s preparation for the series against New Zealand, head coach Misbah-ul-Haq said on Sunday.

Eight members of the 53-strong Pakistan squad have tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19) since their arrival, prompting the New Zealand health ministry to revoke the tourists’ training exemption on Friday.

“Top professional athletes require a certain environment to prepare so that they can perform at the minimum expected levels...” Misbah said in a statement after naming an 18-member squad for the three-match Twenty20 series set to begin in Auckland on Dec 18.

“While we completely respect and understand the New Zealand government laws ... there is no denying the fact that the implementation of certain regulations has affected our athletes, both mentally and physically...”

Misbah, however, had no doubts that the tourists, currently undergoing a 14-day isolation period, would be ready to challenge New Zealand who thumped West Indies inside four days in the first Test at Hamilton on Sunday.

“...when we will leave the isolation facility in the next day or two, we will try to put all this behind us and focus on the challenge of facing New Zealand in both the formats,” said the former Pakistan captain.

Former captain and wicket-keeper/batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed returned to the Twenty20 squad, along with all-rounder Hussain Talat in the only changes from the side that defeated Zimbabwe 3-0 last month at home.

“For the T20Is, we have retained the squad that has been playing together for some time,” Misbah said. “The squad comprises young, talented and high-performing players, who are determined and eager to make names for themselves and further cement their places in the side.”

The squad was finalised by Misbah and captain Babar Azam in consultation with Pakistan Shaheens coach Ijaz Ahmed, who also named a 16-manr squad for the four-day match against New Zealand ‘A’ in Whangarei from Dec 17.

Both Pakistan and Pakistan Shaheens squads are scheduled to depart for Queenstown on Tuesday after completing their isolation period in Christchurch. In Queenstown, both the sides will stay in different hotels and train at different times and according to their match requirements.

Hussain, who has replaced Pakistan Shaheens’ Zafar Gohar, played his last T20 International against South Africa at Centurion in February 2019, while Sarfaraz has reclaimed his spot from Rohail Nazir, who will captain Pakistan Shaheens against New Zealand ‘A’.

Opener Fakhar Zaman had played in all the three T20Is against Zimbabwe but missed the New Zealand tour after failing to recover in time due to high fever.

The remaining T20 International are scheduled to be played in Hamilton (Dec 20) and Napier (Dec 22).

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Test squad players who will not be involved in the T20s, will remain with Pakistan Shaheens to prepare for the two-Test series, which commences at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Dec 26.

The Shaheens will also play intra-squad practice matches in Queenstown befor5e the New Zealand ‘A’ fixture.

Squads:

T20: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafiq, Faheem Ashraf, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Musa Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Qadir, Wahab Riaz.

Pakistan Shaheens (for New Zealand ‘A’ match): Rohail Nazir (captain), Abid Ali, Amad Butt, Azhar Ali, Danish Aziz, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Butt, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, Yasir Shah, Zafar Gohar, Zeeshan Malik.

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2020