In a further blow to Pakistan cricket, 7 more players tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the England tour. 3 cricketers had already tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday.
New Delhi, June 23:
In more bad news for Pakistan criket, 7 more of their cricketers have tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of their tour of England. On Monday, 3 Pakistani cricketers had tested positive for the coronavirus.
Players who have tested positive are who tested poisitive on Tuesday are Fakhar Zaman, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan and Wahab Riaz.
The new results come after three other players – Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan – tested positive on Monday.
The Pakistan team is to travel to England on June 28 for a full tour.
Apart from the 7 players a support personnel named Malang Ali (masseur) also tested postive for Covid-19. PCB said that Shoaib Malik, Cliffe Deacon and Waqar Younis are still to undergo a Covid-19 test.
“Like Haider, Haris and Shadab none of the seven players and masseur had reported any prior symptoms of Covid-19 until they underwent first round of testing on Monday ahead of the side’s departure for Manchester.
“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,” the Pakistan board said in a statement.
PCB also said that players and player support personnel, who have tested negative, will assemble in a bio-secure environment in Lahore on 24 June and will undergo second round of testing on 25 June.
“The recent positive tests of some of the fittest athletes, who had not shown any symptoms, clearly reflect the danger this virus possesses,” PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said in a statement.
Earlier on June 13, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi had also tested positive for Covid-19. Days after testing positive for the virus Afridi gave update on his health and told fans that he was feeling better after 2-3 days of struggle.
The following week saw former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza also test positive for coronavirus. Mortaza was suffering from a high fever before testing positive for the virus which has taken lakhs of lives till date.
Cricket is returning after the coronavirus hiatus with England-West Indies series, which will be played in a bio secure environement from July 8.
