Fakhar Zaman Out Of New Zealand Tour After Showing COVID-19 Symptoms

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the forthcoming series in New Zealand after showing symptoms of Covid-19 before the squad’s departure. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the news on Sunday.

The board stated that Fakhar Zaman had fever and could not recover in time for the Pakistan squad’s departure for the tour early Monday morning. The opener is now in isolation in the team hotel but has returned a negative COVID test. But the team doctor stated that the batsman was not fit to travel with the rest of the squad.

“Fakhar’s covid test report was received on Saturday which came out negative but today he picked up fever,” Pakistan team doctor Sohail Saleem said.

“As soon as his condition was reported, he was isolated from the rest of the squad in the team hotel. We are constantly monitoring his condition and remain hopeful of his quick recovery; however he is not fit to travel with the squad and as such has been withdrawn from the touring party,” he added.

All the players and officials underwent Covid-19 tests on Saturday after assembling at the team hotel in Lahore with all returning negative reports. A total of 34 players and 15 officials who are part of the Pakistan senior and A squads will leave for Auckland via Dubai and will remain 14-day in quarantine and isolation before being allowed to move out of the bio-secure bubble.

Pakistan will play three T20Is and two Tests on tour starting from December 18. The tour will start with two four-day warm-up matches against New Zealand A from December 10.

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