Six Pakistani players test negative, but will have to wait for the flight to England

By: News Gater Desk | Kolkata |

Posted: Jun 28, 2020 1:05:54 am

The PCB confirmed that 20 players and 11 support staff will leave for England on Sunday morning to play three tests and the same number of T20 internationals. (File / PCB photo)

Six of the 10 Pakistani players who tested positive for Covid-19 last week, including multi-faceted hitter Mohammad Hafeez and fast bowler Wahab Riaz, have returned negative results after the second round of testing. However, they will not be on the charter flight to Manchester on Sunday as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which conducted these tests, wants them to undergo a third test.

If the third round of testing with these players is also “negative,” they may travel to England.

Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shadab Khan are the other players who were negative, according to the results of the second round of tests carried out by the PCB.

Under the PCB testing program, players who have tested positive have to show two negative tests before entering England in compliance with UK government regulations.

The PCB confirmed that 20 players and 11 support staff will leave for England on Sunday morning to play three tests and the same number of T20 internationals.

Hafeez and Riaz were tested in a laboratory, which the PCB does not use, and although the test results were negative, it has not been taken into account, PCB CEO Wasim Khan said.

“I know that Mohammad Hafeez and Wahab Riaz took personal tests outside of our process before the second PCB test. Although their results were negative, according to the PCB testing program, they are considered to have a negative test after a positive test. Therefore, once they are retested and receive a second negative result under the PCB testing program, they will be available to join the squad in England, ”said Khan.

On June 25, the Pakistani junta conducted the second round of tests after the squadron met in Lahore.

Out of 10 players and a support team that initially tested positive, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Kashif Bhatti, Imran Khan and masseuse Malang Ali tested positive again.

The PCB medical panel has advised them to observe the “strict quarantine,” and the board provides full support. “These players will be tested after the end of the quarantine period and will be sent to England after two negative tests,” said the PCB.

Originally, the PCB had chosen a 29-member squad for the England tour. Following the positive results of the Covid test, the board summoned fast bowler Musa Khan and Pakistan Under-19 captain and goalkeeper Rohail Nazir. Both have been included in the first batch of travelers. According to PCB, Pakistani bowling coach Waqar Younis will join the team directly from Australia, while veteran Shoaib Malik “will travel around July 24.”

After arriving in England, the team will undergo tests by the England and Wales Cricket Board in Worcestershire, followed by a 14-day isolation period, during which they can train.

“Upon arrival in Manchester, the team will be transported to Worcestershire, where they will undergo tests by the England and Wales Cricket Board before completing their 14-day isolation period, during which they will be allowed to train and practice. The team will move to Derbyshire on July 13, ”said the PCB.

The first batch of players going to England: Azhar Ali (captain), Babar Azam (vice-captain), Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Iftikhar Ahmad, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Musa Khan, Naseem Shah, Rohail Nazir, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, Usman Shinwari and Yasir Shah.