Pakistan Players To Undergo COVID-19 Test Twice Before Leaving For England

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wouldn’t be anything less than relieved knowing that their team would play in England, starting August. The Pakistan cricket team is scheduled to visit the United Kingdom to feature in three Tests and three T20Is. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has also given the national team the clearance for the same. However, the players would have to undergo COVID-19 test twice before boarding on the plane for England.

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International cricket has come to a standstill since March in response to the ongoing global health crisis. With Pakistan recording more than 100000 cases of a novel coronavirus in their country, the PCB saw it is imperative to take extra precaution under such circumstances. International cricketers, including Taufeeq Umar and Shahid Afridi, also contracted the deadly disease. The former has recovered from the same.

A PCB official claimed that the first test would take place in their official residences. In contrast, the second would be conducted in Lahore on Wednesday, where they will assemble in a bio-secure environment in a five-star hotel before taking the chartered flight to England.

“The first test will be taken in players’ and officials’ respective cities and areas of residence. The players will assemble in Lahore on Wednesday and the Board has arranged for a bio-secure floor for them in a five-star hotel where they will stay in isolation before taking the chartered flight,” the representative mentioned as quoted by India Today.

Any Pakistan player testing positive wouldn’t be travelling to England:

The PCB also made it clear that any athlete who contracts the deadly virus after examination would be debarred from boarding the plane to England. For the same reason and the risk hovering, reserve players would also travel.

“That is why the board has announced a reserve set of players for the tour,” the source added.

A few weeks ago, the Board announced a 29-member squad for the red and white-ball series in the United Kingdom. Babar Azam would captain the Pakistan T20 team while Azhar Ali would lead the Test side.

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