Pakistan tour of England "very much on track" despite further positive tests

Plans for the tour remain in place, with those who recorded negative tests assembling in a bio-secure environment in Lahore on June 24, ahead of a second round of testing on the following day

Seven further Pakistan players have tested positive for Covid-19 following a second round of tests organised ahead of their tour of England.

Positive tests for three members of the 29-man squad were announced on Monday, with Fakhar Zaman, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan and Wahab Riaz adding to that list on Tuesday after tests were carried out in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar.

Team masseur Malang Ali has also tested positive, though 16 other players and 11 members of support staff tested on Tuesday recorded negative results.

On Monday, the tests of Imad Wasim and Usman Shinwari came back negative, while the results of Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan were positive.

None of Ali, Rauf, Khan nor any of the latest seven to test positive had reported any prior symptoms of coronavirus until they underwent testing. All those to have tested positive will now observe a strict quarantine at their homes.

Plans for the tour, however, remain in place, with those who recorded negative tests assembling in a bio-secure environment in Lahore on June 24, ahead of a second round of testing on the following day.

Those who test negative following the second set of tests will then leave for Manchester on a chartered flight, before being tested once more by an ECB medical panel upon arrival.

The touring party will then observe a quarantine period as per the United Kingdom’s government regulations, but will train and practise, as has happened in the case of Jason Holder’s West Indies squad.

Players and support staff currently in isolation following positive tests will continue to be monitored by PCB medical staff, before being flown to England should they then test negative in subsequent tests.

PCB chief executive Wasim Khan said: “The recent positive tests of some of the fittest athletes, who had not shown any symptoms, clearly reflect the danger this virus possesses. As such, and on behalf of the PCB, I once again request the public to strictly adhere to all safety precautions as advised and recommended by the federal and provincial governments to ensure their health and safety as well as of their dear and near ones.

“As regards the players, who have tested positive, we will continue to monitor and support them, including conducting antibody tests, and as soon as they test negative, they will be flown to join the squad in England.

“At the moment, they have been advised to go into self-isolation so that they not only recover quickly but also prevent their other family members from being infected.

“The tour to England is very much on track and the side will depart as per schedule on 28 June. Fortunately, all the first-choice red-ball squad, barring Mohammad Rizwan, are negative, which means they can start training and practising immediately after they have been tested and given the all-clear when they arrive in England.

“In the meantime, Misbah-ul-Haq is reviewing the training schedule in England and is firming up plans for reserve players to be tested as a backup.”

Save 30% when you subscribe to The Cricketer’s print & digital bundle. £35 for 12 issues