PCB Fails To Create 'Bio-Secure' Environment, Scraps Training Camp For England Tour

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has scrapped training camp for its 25-member squad for the England tour after being unable to create a ‘bio-secure’ environment at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The rescheduled Pakistan tour of England will feature a three-Test series followed by as many T20Is.

Pakistan are in readiness to send their 25-man squad to England for a ‘bio-secure’ series from end of July. The first of three-match Test series is slated to get underway from July 30 with the final match concluding on August 24 while the three-T20I series will run from August 29 to September 2.

PCB unable to construct a ‘bio-bubble’ at its National Cricket Academy

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) faced a big challenge in constructing a ‘bio-secure’ environment for it players. The facility at NCA is not capable of housing large members in its premises. The PCB then considered making players stay at a five-star hotel about 8km away from the training facility, according to Espncricinfo.

The report, however, mentioned that with the increasing number of coronavirus cases in the country the board has raised its concern about maintaining a fully secure environment for the players between lodgings and the training facility

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are expected to send chartered flight to fly Pakistan squad to their country. Pakistan are expected to depart for the England tour in the first week of July. Their first four weeks are designated to be in training and quarantine.

According to the new rules by the UK government, any individual arriving from outside the country will have to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine period.