Pakistan cricket legend Shoaib Akhtar has sparked a heated social media backlash with his bouncer at Cricket NZ over COVID-19 restrictions on his national side.
The tourists are already on a last warning from local health officials, after violating quarantine rules at their Christchurch isolation facility within three days of arriving in New Zealand.
Six players - including captain Fakhar Zaman - have returned positive coronavirus tests and several team members have been observed mingling without face masks.
Management has urged players to stay within regulations or risk the team being sent home, but former fast bowler Shoaib has responded off the long run-up on his YouTube channel.
“New Zealand’s comment that if Pakistan’s team’s SOP [standard operating procedure] is not in place, then we will cancel the tour is below the belt,” he said.
“I want to give a message to New Zealand [Cricket] board that this is not a club team - it’s Pakistan national cricket team.
“You are talking about Pakistan - the greatest country on the planet - so behave yourself and stop giving such statement.”
Shoaib called for the Pakistan Cricket Board board to threaten a five-year ban against New Zealand and some of his countrymen have supported his stand.
"Shoaib is a legend, he should be PCB chairman or on some powerful seat," tweets one. "The guy is brave."
Says another: "This time I am agreed with Shoaib, respect is more important thing."
And another: "I agree with you."
But overwhelmingly, Shoaib has been slammed for his remarks.
"This is unnecessary and idiotic," tweets one commenter. "New Zealand has apparently worked hard at practically keeping the pandemic out of their country.
"Obviously they have strict proposals for all touring parties. PCB should probably warn or reprimand the team manager in this case too."
Says another: "Your kind of threat talk may work in some other country, but not in New Zealand. They're damn serious and they mean what they had said.
"They will not flinch for one second to cancel this tour if Pakistan team not going to behave. COVID protocols mean everything to them."
And another: "So you want to act irresponsible in someone else's country, not follow their rules and regulations, and you expect to get away without any warning. That's not how it works."
The Pakistan team were due to undergo scheduled day-three coronavirus testing on Friday - if they pass, they will be allowed to begin their training exemption.
Join us at 7pm Friday for live updates of the Blackcaps v West Indies T20 clash
