Pakistan squad to be tested twice for COVID-19 before leaving for England tour on June 28

Ahead of England tour in July, Pakistan team will be tested twice for Coronavirus within three days before y enter bio-secure bubble in UK. first test will be taken on Monday and second one on Wednesday before y board a charted flight to England on June 28. According to PTI sources, if a player tests positive, he will be restricted from travelling for tour as international cricket eyes return after a brief halt due to COVID-19 outbreak. 

“ first test will be taken in players’ and officials’ respective cities and areas of residence. players will assemble in Lahore on Wednesday and Board has arranged for a bio-secure floor for m in a five-star hotel where y will stay in isolation before taking chartered flight,” PTI quoted a source. 

PCB has also anunced a set of reserve players in case a player from main squad tests COVID positive. national board is also expected to sign an MoU with England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) stating terms and conditions for tour which will last till September.  

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Aamir, Sohail out

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released a statement on Thursday which said that Mohammad Amir has withdrawn so that he can attend birth of his second child in August, while Haris Sohail will miss tour because of family reasons. statement furr read that Pakistan will send 28 players and 14 player support personnel for three Tests and three T20Is to be played in August and September. squad, as well as pre-series and series schedule, will be anunced in due course.

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Pakistan tour of England 2020

1992 World Cup winners will be touring England for a three-match Test series that will be followed by a three-match T20I series from July 30 to September 2, 2020. Meanwhile, PCB  also anunced that spin legend Mushtaq Ahmed has been named as bowling coach for upcoming tour while former captain as well as batting great Younis Khan has been appointed as batting coach.

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PCB had said that taking into account COVID-19 outlook in Pakistan in coming weeks, operational and logistical matters as well observation that keeping players in a safe and secure environment would remain a challenge, which is why PCB decided t to hold a training camp prior to ir departure for England. Instead, PCB asked ECB to prepare an itinerary which allows Pakistan team to reach London early in June. squad was originally scheduled to land in UK on July 6.

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(with inputs from ncies)