Haider Ali, two others cleared for England travel

Rookie batsman Haider Ali, pacer Imran Khan and spinner Kashif Bhatti are set to travel to England, after twice testing negative for novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

The trio had returned positive results twice in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s initial testing phase, which is why they were not sent with the advance group that left for England on June 28. In the tests conducted later, all three tested negative twice.

Masseur Malang Ali and Mohammad Imran have also tested negative for the virus and will be travelling with the aforementioned trio to England.

ALSO READ: PCB struggling to find sponsor for team

The board is now making arrangements for their departure to England but it is likely that a private airline company will be used instead of the national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines, due to travel restrictions.

According to the tentative schedule of the series between England and Pakistan, the first Test will be played on August 5 in Manchester. Pakistan will play the remaining two games in Southampton, starting on August 13 and 21 respectively.

Pakistan will also play three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) in Southampton on August 29, 31 and September 2.