Seven More Pakistan Players Tested Positive For COVID-19

Updated - 23 Jun 2020, 09:24 PM

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In what is another jolt to Pakistan’s upcoming tour of England, seven more players in Fakhar Zaman, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Hasnain, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Rizwan, and Mohammad Hafeez have all been tested for COVID-19.

Seven More Pakistan Players Tested Positive For COVID-19 — Pakistan players celebrate a wicket. Credits: ICC Twitter.

The development comes after three players- Shadab Khan, Haider Ali and Haris Rauf- were tested positive on Monday.Malang Ali, a member of the support staff has also been tested positive for coronavirus. Pakistan was all set to depart to England on Sunday but the proliferation of the virus in the 20-member squad has now put the availability of the players in jeopardy.

“The PCB medical panel is already in contact with these players and the masseur, who have been instructed to observe strict quarantine at their homes for their and their families’ wellbeing,” Pakistan Cricket Board said in a release.

Pakistan tour of England very much on track: Wasim Khan

The players- Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, Yasir Shah, Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, and Iftikhar Ahmad- who have been tested negative will now assemble in Lahore on May 24 before their departure to England on May 28th.

“The tour to England is very much on track and the side will depart as per schedule,” Wasim Khan, PCB chief executive said.

“Fortunately, all the first-choice red-ball squad, barring Mohammad Rizwan, are negative, which means they can start training and practicing immediately after they have been tested and given the all-clear when they arrive in England. In the meantime, Misbah-ul-Haq is reviewing the training schedule in England and is firming up plans for reserve players to be tested as a backup,” he added.

Shoaib Malik, who has been granted special permission to join the squad late, is yet to be tested.The players, who have been tested positive, have not yet been ruled out of the England tour. Once they recover, they will travel to England where they will undergo another fitness test.Pakistan will play three Tests and as many T20Is in England in August and September. The first Test will be played at Lord’s while the other two will be played in Manchester and Trent Bridge.

Also Read: Three Pakistan Players Test Positive For Coronavirus Ahead Of England Tour

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