Babar Azam's main opening partner ruled out of NZ tour due to COVID-19 symptoms

Even before Pakistan cricket team took flight for New Zealand, y received a major blow, when Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) anunced that opener Fakhar Zaman has been pulled out of squ. decision was taken by PCB as a precautionary measure after cricketer developed potential COVID-19 symptoms recently.

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Zaman was slated to open batting for Pakistan team led by Babar Azam in shortest format of game and with him longer travelling with team, Abdullah Shafique and Haider Ali are likely to be frontrunners to partner captain Babar Azam at top of order. Pakistan have t named a replacement yet for Fakhar Azam for three T20Is that y are scheduled to play against New Zealand.

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Fakhar Zaman to miss New Zealand tour 

PCB anunced in a press release that Zaman tested COVID-19 negative as recently as Saturday, but after developing a fever while isolating with rest of team at a hotel in Lahore, he was left out as a precautionary measure. Fakhar Zaman has played 3 Tests, 47 ODIs and 40 T20 internationals for his country.

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Both Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman recently participated in Pakistan Super League which was won by Karachi Kings.  Kings beat Qalandars by 5 wickets to be crowned champions. Apart from being named as Pakistan Super League winners, Karachi Kings' star Babar Azam was named as  Pakistan Super League's player of tournament, while Lahore Qalandars' Zaman was named as Best Fielder of PSL 2020 as he finished tournament with 10 catches to his credit. Haider Ali was declared as Emerging Player of PSL 2020.

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New Zealand vs Pakistan 2020

Coming to New Zealand vs Pakistan 2020 series, all 34 players and 15 officials who are a part of Pakistan senior and A squs, left for Auckland on Monday via Dubai and will remain under 14-day quarantine and isolation before being allowed to move out of a bio-secure bubble since New Zealand is a Covid-19 free country.

Both teams will start series by competing in three-match T20I series between December 18 and 22, following which y will play in a two-Test match series which is a part of ICC World Test Championship. 1st Test will get underway on Boxing Day followed by 2nd and final match of tour starting on January 3.

Im: ICC/ Twitter