Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan have tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the tour of England, the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed on Monday. The players are asymptomatic and were tested in Rawalpindi on Sunday. The PCB is now waiting for the results of other players who have been tested in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar. "The PCB medical panel is in contact with the three who have been advised to immediately go into self-isolation," the PCB said in the release. "Imad Wasim and Usman Shinwari, also screened in Rawalpindi, have tested negative and, as such, will travel to Lahore on June 24."
The three cricketers were named in the 29-member squad last week for Pakistan's upcoming tour to England but now their participation will be doubtful. Pakistan are scheduled to play three Tests and as many Twenty20 Internationals against England in August-September in a bio-secure environment following the Covid-19 pandemic. Pakistan players will leave for England on Sunday and will be tested twice for COVID-19 before they board the flight to London. Once the team lands in the UK, the players will go through another testing session before they start training in a bio-secured environment. The players last played a competitive game in March in PSL which was suspended midway due to the pandemic.
