128 PSL coronavirus tests show no positive cases

Tests were conducted on remaining players, support staff, match officials, broadcasters and team owners after Alex Hales, an overseas player for Karachi Kings, developed symptoms of the virus after returning to England

Coronavirus tests performed after the final stages of the Pakistan Super League were postponed have returned no positive cases, the Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed.

Tests were conducted on 128 players, support staff, match officials, broadcasters and team owners after Alex Hales, an overseas player for Karachi Kings, developed symptoms of the virus after returning to England.

Additionally, Multan Sultans underwent 17 COVID-19 tests, which were also negative.

PCB chief executive Wasim Khan said: “It was absolutely critical for the integrity and credibility of the HBL Pakistan Super League and the Pakistan Cricket Board that all players, support personnel, broadcasters and match officials, those who had decided to stay back till the end of the tournament, tested negative for COVID-19.

“In this background, the PCB is pleased with the outcome of the results and happy that all these players and officials have re-joined their families without any health and safety doubts or concerns.

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“The PCB will continue to put in place precautionary measures to better safeguard the health of its employees.

“I urge cricket fans and followers to exercise absolute caution and value their as well as others’ wellbeing. They can overcome this pandemic by maintaining hygiene, avoiding close physical contact like handshaking and hugs, staying away from gatherings, avoiding close contact when anyone who is experiencing cough and fever, and spreading awareness about safety measures.

“The PCB prays normalcy returns quickly to our society so that playing fields can once again witness resumption of healthy activities.”

^{The final stages of the Pakistan Super League were postponed} 

Hales was one of 15 overseas players to take up the option provided by the PCB to leave the competition when the global outbreak spread.

In a statement released on Tuesday after returning from Pakistan, he confirmed that he had developed symptoms since arriving back in England, though he added that he has not yet been tested.

“Like many other overseas players, I reluctantly left the PSL early because, with COVID-19 reaching global pandemic status, I felt it was more important to be with my family rather than face a period of lockdown thousands of miles from home,” he said.

“I returned to the UK in the early hours of Saturday morning feeling perfectly fit and healthy and with absolutely no symptoms of the virus.

“However, I awoke early on Sunday morning having developed a fever and followed the government's advice of self-isolation, a process I am obviously still following having developed a dry and persistent cough.

“At this stage, it has not been possible to be tested although I am hopeful that might be the case later today so that I can get absolute confirmation of my current health status.”