Pakistan's Haider Ali, Shadab Khan And Haris Rauf Test Positive For Covid-19 Ahead Of England Tour

This is one of the first instances where active international cricketers have tested positive, raising speculation about the restart of international cricket.

Photo: @PCB (Twitter)

Lahore: Putting their England tour in jeopardy, three Pakistan cricketers – Haider Ali, Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf have tested positive for Coronavirus, just a day before the Pakistan team is supposed to leave for a series against hosts England.

The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that the three players have tested positive and other precautionary measures have been put in place immediately.

The players had shown no symptoms until they were tested in Rawalpindi on Sunday ahead of the Pakistan men’s national cricket team’s tour to England.

The PCB medical panel is in contact with the three who have been advised to immediately go into self-isolation. Imad Wasim and Usman Shinwari, also screened in Rawalpindi, have tested negative and, as such, will travel to Lahore on 24 June.

The other players and team officials, barring Cliffe Deacon, Shoaib Malik and Waqar Younis, underwent tests at their respective centres in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar on Monday. Their results are expected at some stage on Tuesday, which will also be announced by the PCB through its usual channels. Until then, the PCB will not make any further comment.

This is one of the first instances where active international cricketers have tested positive, raising speculation about the restart of international cricket.

Pakistan is due to play England for a full series after they wind up a Test series against West Indies, starting July 8, which will mark the restart of Test cricket after Corona break.

Earlier, Shahid Afridi and a couple of other former Pakistan cricketers had also tested positive.