Covid-19, which has affected millions across the globe, has found favourites in Pakistan squad slated to tour England later this month. After the Pakistan trio- Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, and Haider Ali -another seven Pakistan cricketers and a support staff were confirmed positive for Covid-19 by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday June 23.
Players Fakhar Zaman, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan and Wahab Riaz, and Malang Ali a masseur were confirmed positive in Covid-19 tests conducted by PCB in Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi between Sunday and Monday.
Like the previous three Covid-19 positive players, all the seven players and the masseur were asymptomatic before the tests and have been asked to observe strict quarantine at their homes for their and their families’ wellbeing.
Players will join team in England
With the fittest and asymptomatic players testing positive for Covid-19, PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan requested the public to strictly adhere to all safety precautions as recommended by the federal government.
He affirmed that the 10 players and the masseur, who have tested positive, will be monitored and will fly join the team in England once they test negative.
“As regards the players, who have tested positive, we will continue to monitor and support them, including conducting antibody tests, and as soon as they test negative, they will be flown to join the squad in England, “PCB Chief Executive said in an official release.
England tour on track
Further Khan assured that England tour was on track and the team would depart as scheduled. Fortunately for Pakistan all its Test players, except Mohammad Rizwan, had tested negative and thus, the begin training after arriving in England.
The players and the support staff, who have tested negative, will assemble in a bio-secure environment in Lahore on June 24 and will undergo second round of testing on June 25. The players who test negative after the second set of test will then fly to England in a special chartered flight on June 28.
On arrival in England, the Pakistan contingent will undergo another set of tests and will be placed in a bio-secure environment put in place by ECB medical panel.
Pakistan will play three tests begin with Test at Lords on July 30, then travel to Manchester and Nottingham for the next two Tests. They will also play three T20Is at Leeds, Cardiff and Southampton.
