Not enough warm clothes, Pak players cope with cold in NZ

Karachi:

Still adjusting to the freezing temperatures in New Zealand, the Pakistani cricketers' misery has been compounded by a shortage of warm clothes in the playing kits for the Test series starting November 24.

Apparently, the playing kits of the players sent by the Pakistan Cricket Board to New Zealand have turned out to be inadequate to counter the cold conditions there.

"The team left directly for New Zealand from Dubai and the playing kits including track suits, blazers, sweaters and the trousers and shirts were basically ordered keeping in mind warm weather," a source in the board said.

He said players have already complained to manager Abdul Raquib about it.

"Basically, the playing kit has been stitched in such a way that it keeps the players cool in warm weather. But for the cold conditions in New Zealand it is inadequate protection for the players," the source said.

Raquib, when contacted in Dunedin, admitted there were problems with the playing kit but played down the issue.

"It is not as if the wrong kits have been sent the problem arose because the players also didn't bring enough warm clothes with them. But we have asked for more stuff from Pakistan and we will get it soon," Raquib stated.

He admitted that the weather in Dunedin, where the first Test starts from Tuesday, is very cold and the players are still adjusting to the conditions.

"How the players adjust to the cold conditions in the first test will be important," he said.