Pakistan’s cricket players test positive for Covid-19

Three of Pakistan’s cricket players Shadab Khan, Haider Ali and Haris Rauf have tested positive for Covid-19 just five days ahead of their planned tour to England for three-test and three-T20 matches series. 

“The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed three players – Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan – have tested positive for Covid-19. The players had shown no symptoms until they were tested in Rawalpindi on Sunday ahead of the Pakistan men’s national cricket team’s tour to England,” said the board in a statement issued late night on Monday.

The board’s medical panel has advised the three players for immediate self isolation. 

Taking to Twitter, spinner Shadab Khan confirmed the news saying that “Tested positive for Covid19. Please remember me in your prayers. Wishing and praying for everyone’s safety. Stay safe.” 

The Covid-10 positive players, who were all part of the 29-member squad to leave for England, have cast a doubt on whether the matches will go forward as planned. 

The final decision on the series will be taken after reviewing the test results for the rest of team members and squad will be announced on Tuesday. 

The PCB, in the official notification said the “The other players and team officials, barring Cliffe Deacon, Shoaib Malik and Waqar Younis, underwent tests at their respective centres in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar on Monday.”

“Their results are expected at some stage on Tuesday, which will also be announced by the PCB through its usual channels. Until then, the PCB will not make any further comment.” 

Immad Wasim and Usman Shinwari were tested negative.

Both England and Pakistan had agreed to go ahead with the planned series despite concerns surrounding the pandemic. 

The first test of the bilateral series will begin on July 30 and the test series will be a part of ICC’s World Test Championship.

The English Cricket Board (ECB) had agreed to send a charter plane to Pakistan to bring the national squad to England a month before the first match. The PCB had requested the ECB to bring back the departure date so that Pakistani players can get adequate time to prepare for the upcoming series.

Meanwhile, batsman Haris Sohail and Mohammad Amir will not be part of the series as they pulled out citing personal reasons.