Three Pakistan Players Test Positive For Coronavirus Ahead Of England Tour

In a huge blow to Pakistan ahead of their challenging tour of England, three of their players have tested positive for coronavirus. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the news on Monday. Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan are the three players who have tested positive for the deadly virus.

All the three players were asymptomatic and were tested in Rawalpindi on Sunday. They were part of the 29-man squad PCB had announced for the tour. Pakistan are scheduled to play three Tests and as many T20Is in England in August and September.

“The PCB medical panel is in contact with the three who have been advised to immediately go into self-isolation,” the PCB said in the release. “Imad Wasim and Usman Shinwari, also screened in Rawalpindi, have tested negative and, as such, will travel to Lahore on June 24.”

Among the three positive players, Haider is yet to make his international debut. Haider, who was Pakistan’s star in the Under-19 World Cup, impressed in this year’s Pakistan Super League and earned his maiden call-up from the senior Pakistan team.

During the tournament, he became the youngest player to score a fifty in the history of PSL. He has played seven first-class games and has 645 runs at an average close to 50.

Rauf, who had a sensation stint at the Big Bash League, has played two T20Is and has impressed with his pace. On the other hand, Shadab Khan is an integral part of the team across formats. The leg-spinner has so far represented Pakistan in 88 international games.

Imad Wasim and Usman Shinwari have tested negative while the board is waiting for the results of Shoaib Malik and Waqar Younis. The other players and team officials, barring Cliffe Deacon, Shoaib Malik and Waqar Younis, underwent tests at their respective centres in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar on Monday. Their results are expected at some stage on Tuesday.

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