The Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Monday that three players, namely Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, and Haider Ali have tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the team’s departure for England on June 28.
“The PCB medical panel is in contact with the three who have been advised to immediately go into self-isolation,” said the PCB in a statement.
Shadab, who is a leg-spinner by trade, is the only established member of the team out of the three. Rauf has played only two T20Is while highly-rated batsman Ali had received his maiden call-up for the England tour.
“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.”
Besides a 29-member squad, the PCB has also named four reserves for the England tour — Bilal Asif, Imran Butt, Musa Khan, and Mohammad Nawaz.
Pakistan will play three Tests and three T20Is during their tour of England. The final itinerary is expected to be announced later this week.
Earlier this month, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi tested positive for the virus that has claimed more than 467,000 lives so far.