Karachi 10 out of 29 players from Pakistan touring England have been found positive in the Coronavirus investigation, but the board of both countries said on Tuesday that there is no threat to the tour. The Pakistan Cricket Board announced that 3 players were found positive on Monday night, while according to the update released on Tuesday, seven more players were found positive including seniors like Mohammad Hafeez and Wahab Riaz.
The remaining 5 players are Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Hasanen, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan and Imran Khan. On Monday, Shadab Khan, Hyder Ali and Haris Rauf were found positive. The Pakistani team is scheduled to leave for the UK on 28 June for a series of 3 Tests and three T20 matches.
The PCB said in a statement that the board’s medical panel is in touch with these players and masseurs who have been asked to stay in quarantines in their respective homes.
PCB CEO Wasim Khan said in a media conference that this is not a good situation and these are 10 fit and young players… If it can happen to these players then it can happen to anyone.
Wasim said support staff member masseur Malang Ali has also been found positive for coronavirus. Wasim informed that players and officials will now gather in Lahore and another round of trials will take place on 25 June. The revised team will be announced the next day. Wasim said that this is a matter of concern but we should not be afraid at this time because we have time now. The tour will take place and the team will leave on 28 June.
He said that the good thing is that the reports of all except Mohammad Rizwan in the Test team have come negative. This means that he can reach England and start practice immediately after the Test. Meanwhile, England and Wales Cricket Board Cricket Director Ashley Giles on Monday reacted to the news that 3 Pakistani cricketers were found positive and said on Tuesday that it was a matter of concern, but there was no doubt about the tour.
Giles said on a video call that there is no time for the Test series to begin, so there is nothing to worry about. We are waiting for the rest of the results. If more players also come positive, then the Pakistani team will come to play. The corona virus epidemic is spreading rapidly in Pakistan. On Tuesday, 105 people died and now there are 1,85,034 cases in the country.