Three Pakistani cricket players test positive for COVID-19

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that three players – Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, and Shadab Khan – have tested positive for COVID-19.

Tested positive for Covid19. Please remember me in your prayers. Wishing and praying for everyone’s safety. Stay safe.

— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan) June 22, 2020

The board said that the the players had shown no symptoms until they were tested in Rawalpindi on Sunday ahead of the Pakistan men’s national cricket team’s tour to England.

According to a press release, the PCB medical panel is in contact with the three who have been advised to immediately go into self-isolation.

Imad Wasim and Usman Shinwari, who were also screened for the virus in Rawalpindi, tested negative and will travel to Lahore on 24 June.

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The statement further added that “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 will be announced as soon as they are received.

“Until then, the PCB will not make any further comment,” added the statement.

Meanwhile, PCB on June 12, had announced a 29-player squad for three Tests and three T20Is against England to be played in August-September.

“An extended squad, including white-ball specialists, is being sent to England as the players, in accordance with series SOPs in the wake of COVID-19, will remain in England from start to finish,” stated a press release.

According to details, the Pakistan Cricket Team is scheduled to depart on June 28 for Manchester, before driving to Derbyshire for their 14-day quarantine period during which they will be allowed to train and practice. Apart from training and practicing, there will be intra-squad matches to compensate for the lack of practice matches due to non-availability of local teams as the ECB is yet to commence its domestic season.