Pakistan Cricket Board to seek Imran's clearance for preparatory camp before England tour

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will seek government clearance before setting up a training camp for its players to prepare for the tour of England in July amid the rising threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, all the global sporting events have either been postponed or canceled since March due to the global pandemic. Pakistan's limited-overs series against Ireland has been postponed as of now and even the semi-finals and the final of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) have been postponed due to coronavirus fear.

READ: MS Dhoni Relaxes By Cuddling Pet Dogs In Adorable Video Posted By Sakshi Dhoni: Watch

'Different plans are being looked at': PCB Official

"Different plans are being looked at but the most important thing is that the board will have to get the final nod from the government before it goes ahead with the tour to England or even the training camp," an official in the board said. "Head coach and chief selector, Misbah-ul-Haq understandably wants at least 25 players in the training camp and a list are being finalised but before it is announced the board wants to create a proper bio-secure environment at the high-performance centre so that everyone is safe from COVID-19," the official said.

"Some players are reluctant to stay away for a three-week period in Lahore and then again for more than two months in the UK," the source said.

The High-Performance Centre in Lahore where the board is planning to keep the players and officials does not have the capacity to house 20 players at one time and this is causing a big problem for the officials. However, the sources have also said that once the players and officials move into the high-performance centre, they will not be allowed to go out or meet anyone including their family members because of the bio-security measures.

Meanwhile,  the board has said that it has left it on the players to decide whether they want to tour England or not, and if anyone makes himself unavailable, there will not be any disciplinary action.

READ: Tamim Iqbal Says He Was Watching India's Star-studded Batsmen During WC 2007 Group Match

'I would be worried': Javed Miandad

"I would be worried because the COVID-19 situation in the UK is worse than what it is in Pakistan. I just hope the board examines everything before sending the team to England because it would be a huge risk for the players," Miandad said.
Pakistan has reported more than 85,000 cases so far, while the count in the UK has crossed 2.70 lakh, though there is significant disparity in testing numbers.

(With PTI Inputs) 

(Image Courtesy: AP)