LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Monday three players, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan, had tested positive for the coronavirus ahead of a tour of England in July.
Last month, PCB announced it would send a 25-man squad to England in July, with the matches taking place behind closed doors as part of measures to combat COVID-19.
The Pakistan cricket team is the first in Pakistan and second in the world that will play in another country during the coronavirus pandemic. The West Indies team is currently playing a series in England.
PCB officials said the board had had 28 players and 13 officials tested for the coronavirus ahead of their travels to Lahore where they would be retested.
“The [three] 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,” the PCB said in a statement posted on its website.
“28 players and 13 officials have been tested today for COVID 19 on June 22 and they all will undergo the test again on 25 June,” Raza Rashid, Manager Media and Operations of the Pakistan cricket team, told Arab News. “Players with two negative reports will leave for the UK on June 28,” he added, saying any player who tested positive would be isolated.
The Pakistan squad will gather in Lahore on June 24 and stay at a hotel for three days before leaving for England on a special flight, Rashid said.
Pakistan will have to arrive almost a month before the first test to undergo a two-week quarantine period mandatory for all visitors and get in some match practice.
“In the present Covid-19 circumstances, it is extremely important and crucial that Pakistan’s tour to England not only takes place but is also a success so that other countries can get the confidence and follow suit,” Samiul Hasan, PCB Director Media and Communication, told Arab News. “We strongly believe cricket must resume.”
The Pakistan team is set to play three test matches and three One-Day International matches during the England tour. The three test matches are to be played as part of the ICC World Test Championship.
The detailed schedule has not yet been issued by England cricketing authorities but Pakistani cricketers and officials have been asked to reach Lahore by June 24 from where they will fly to England on a special flight.
“Cricket runs in our blood and it has stopped since March,” young Pakistani bowler Nasim Shah told Arab News in a voice message. “I am very excited to be returning to the field.”
“The COVID 19 situation has stopped sports activities; the tour will restore the game and we will continue our tradition of winning in England,” versatile batsman Muhammad Hafeez said.
Fast bowler Shahin Shah Afridi also said he was happy to be joining the team for the England tour.
“It is a good initiative of PCB that cricket is going to be restored,” Afridi said.
