PCB will be closely monitoring West Indies tour of England: Wasim Khan

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Executive Wasim Khan has said that West Indies tour of England, which is likely to take place early in July, will be monitored as a test case before taking a decision about Pakistan’s team’s visit to the same country.

While talking to Daily Express, Khan said that the PCB will be closely looking at the arrangements put in place by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for the series.

“We will keep a close eye on the West Indies tour of England. West Indies will reach England in the second half of June and will stay in quarantine for couple of weeks before taking part in the series,” said Khan. “This will give us an opportunity to look at the arrangements put in place by the ECB, including hotels and bio-secure venues.”

He also hinted at insurance policy for Pakistan players, in order provide a cover against the Covid-19 pandemic as the health and safety of players is PCB’s top priority.

“Touring sides have injury cover in insurance policy for players but not a pandemic,” he said. “We will get in touch with the West Indies cricket authorities with regards to what will be a suitable insurance policy in order to provide adequate cover to our players.”

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Pakistan team is likely to leave for England on July 5 or 6. The team will go through mandatory Covid-19 test, upon arrival in England, and will stay in quarantine for a period of two weeks.

PCB is assembling a squad of 25 to 28 players for the aforementioned tour and is expected to organise few internal warm-up games between the players in order to prepare for the series.

If flight operation does not resume at the beginning of July, then the team will have to travel through a chartered flight but the ECB will bear its costs.

The Ageas Bowl in Southampton and Manchester's Emirates Old Trafford are under consideration for hosting maximum Tests this summer, as both the stadiums have on-site hotels.

Trying to salvage lucrative men's internationals is the priority for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), with chief executive Tom Harrison warning a complete wipeout of the 2020 season could cost the governing body £380 million ($469 million).

The Men in Green are scheduled to play three Tests and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) against England.