Mohammad Amir, Haris Sohail pull out as Pakistan confirm England tour

Fast-bowler Mohammad Amir and middle-order batsman Haris Sohail have pulled out of the upcoming England tour due to personal reasons, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed today.

Amir has withdrawn so that he can be at the birth of his second child in August.

On the other hand, Sohail’s family is not in favour of him travelling to England considering the Covid-19 situation there.

Meanwhile, the PCB has rubbished the reports circulating on social media regarding the left-hand batsman contracting coronavirus.

"Sohail's family was concerned about Covid-19, so he requested to withdraw from the tour while Amir has withdrawn so that he can be at the birth of his second child," a PCB spokesman confirmed.

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Pakistan will send 28 players and 14 player support personnel for three Tests and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) to be played in August and September. The squad as well as pre-series and series schedule will be announced in due course.

It must be noted that, taking into account the Covid-19 outlook in Pakistan in the coming weeks, the operational and logistical matters as well the observation that keeping players in a safe and secure environment remain a challenge which is why the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had decided not to hold a training camp of the national men’s team prior to their departure for England.

Pakistan team is likely to leave for England towards the end of this month. The team will go through mandatory Covid-19 test, upon arrival in England, and will stay in quarantine for a period of two weeks.