KARACHI: A one-day international series between hosts Pakistan and the West Indies starting this weekend was called off Thursday because of a Covid-19 outbreak among the visitors, officials from both sides said.
Five members of the West Indies squad — including three players — tested positive for Covid on Thursday, in addition to four cases reported at the weekend.
The three-match series, which was due to start Saturday, is part of the qualifying round for the 2023 World Cup.
The matches will be rescheduled for June next year, a statement from officials said, adding the decision was taken to protect players and acknowledge the limited resources left in the West Indies squad.
Despite the outbreak, a third Twenty20 match between the two sides went ahead Thursday, with a depleted West Indies winning the toss and electing to bat.
Pakistan won the first two matches.
The cancelation of the ODI series is a huge blow to Pakistan, which has seen tours by New Zealand and England called off in recent months on security grounds.
West Indies officials said the latest positive test results in the squad came from wicketkeeper-batsman Shai Hope, left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, all-rounder Justin Greaves, assistant coach Roddy Estwick, and physician Akshai Mansingh.
Left-arm pace bowler Sheldon Cottrell, and all-rounders Roston Chase and Kyle Mayers, tested positive for Covid on Saturday along with a team official.
Officials said those who tested positive will have to isolate in Karachi before being allowed to travel home.
In October New Zealand quit their first tour to the country in 18 years shortly before the opening match was due to start, following a security alert.
That was followed by England’s decision to withdraw visits by their men’s and women’s teams scheduled for October.
Pakistan officials were furious with the cancelations, arguing security measures were lock-tight.
The cricket-mad nation endured a long spell without a visit from an international team following a terror attack on a bus carrying the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in 2009.
Pakistan were forced to play their home international matches abroad — mostly in the United Arab Emirates — until 2015, when normal service tentatively resumed.
Pakistan-West Indies ODI series called off over COVID cases
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Pakistan-West Indies ODI series called off over COVID cases
- The three-match series, which was due to start Saturday, is part of the qualifying round for the 2023 World Cup
- The matches will be rescheduled for June next year, a statement from officials said
Indonesian president to visit Pakistan next week to strengthen defense, investment ties
- President Prabovo Subianto to arrive with high-level delegation of ministers in Pakistan on Dec. 8-9
- Several agreements to be signed during President Subianto’s visit, says Pakistan’s foreign ministry
ISLAMABAD: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will visit Pakistan on Dec. 8-9 to explore avenues to enhance bilateral cooperation with Islamabad in trade, defense, investment, health, education and other sectors, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said on Sunday.
Pakistan enjoys cordial ties with Indonesia, with diplomatic relations between the two countries established in 1950. The volume of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Indonesia surged to $2.6 billion in 2020, as per official data.
Subianto, who will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising key ministers and senior officials, will mark his maiden visit to Pakistan. The last Indonesian president to visit Pakistan was in 2018 when Joko Widodo arrived in the country.
“The two sides will discuss a wide-ranging agenda aimed at further strengthening Pakistan-Indonesia relations and exploring new avenues of cooperation, including trade, investment, defense, health, IT, climate, education and culture, as well as enhancing collaboration at regional and global levels,” the Pakistani foreign ministry said.
“Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed during the visit.”
During his visit, Subianto will hold delegation-level talks with Pakistan’s prime minister and meet the country’s president and chief of defense forces.
“The visit of President Prabowo will provide an important opportunity to deepen bilateral ties and expand mutually beneficial cooperation, contributing to the continued growth and diversification of the partnership between the two countries,” the foreign ministry said.
Indonesia is also home to a few hundred Pakistani expatriates, many of whom are engaged in businesses such as restaurants, hand-knotted carpets, precious stones, textile items, and herbal medicines.
