Rashid Latif Blasts PCB And The National Team Following COVID-19 Positive Cases Amongst Players

Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif has opened up on a handful of Pakistan cricketers contracting the COVID-19. The PCB announced that prior to the departing for England, all the players would undergo the COVID-19 testing twice. The men in green are slated to play three Tests and three T20Is in the United Kingdom for which the PCB announced a 29-member squad.

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On Monday, three positive cases were confirmed, while on Tuesday it was revealed that, seven more contracted the deadly virus. Earlier, from Pakistan, former international cricketers Taufeeq Umar and Shahid Afridi tested positive too. While Nafees Iqbal and Mashrafe Mortaza also announced the sad news.

Rashid Latif has come down hard on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its players, slamming their carelessness and the failure to adhere to policies. Even as ten Pakistan players have tested positive, the PCB is confident of the Tests and limited-overs series proceeding.

“Players who have tested positive were practising outside together, so there was bound to be a problem. Unprofessional approach from PCB and players is to blame for these positive COVID-19 tests,” Rashid Latif said as quoted by India Today.

You have to follow the protocols and keep distance: Rashid Latif

Rashid further stated that even he stepped foot into the ground one day; however, it wasn’t without abiding by the regulations. He maintained that he kept a distance from Rohail Nazir and stressed on following the said guidelines and protocols.

Aside from Mohammad Hafeez testing negative now, the likes of Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Kashif Bhatti, Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imran Khan, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan along with the support staff all have deadly pathogen.

“I also went to the ground for one day, but I maintained my distance with Rohail Nazir. You have to follow the protocols and keep distance.” the 51-year old added.

PCB conceded that it would test the players once more on the 25th of June in a bio-secure environment in Lahore and the ones whose results come out negative will go to England. The athletes who have tested positive now and on 25th would be asked to quarantine themselves at home. That bunch will join the squad in England at a later date following mandatory isolation protocols and consequent negative results of COVID-19.

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