*Authorities in New Zealand has refused to lift ban on coronavirus-hitPakistan squad’s training during quarantine on Friday after visiting team’snumber of infections climbed to 10.*

The players were confined to their rooms when the first cases emerged lastweek but had hoped to resume training before finishing their stint inisolation on Tuesday.

However, health chiefs said the risk of further infections was too great.

Ten people among the 53-member squad have tested positive for Covid-19while completing two weeks of isolation in Christchurch.

“I have very carefully considered this situation,” director general ofhealth Ashley Bloomfield said in a statement. “At this time, I continue tohave ongoing concerns about the risk of cross-infection within the squad.”

The decision means that Pakistan’s cricketers will have only 10 days toprepare for their first tour match, a Twenty20 international in Auckland onDecember 18, and probably less when travel is factored in.

Bloomfield said the decision was prompted by the number of active casesdetected among the squad.