Seven more Pakistan cricketers test positive for Covid-19

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Following the announcement yesterday that three players had tested positive for Covid-19, the Pakistan Cricket Board on Tuesday confirmed that a further seven players and a player support personnel from a total of 35 have tested positive for Covid-19. The PCB had organised these 35 tests in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar on Monday.

Players who have tested positive

Fakhar Zaman, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan and Wahab Riaz.

Player who have tested negative

Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Iftikhar Ahmad, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan and Yasir Shah.

Player Support Personnel, who has tested positive

Malang Ali (masseur)

Player Support Personnel who have tested negative

Mansoor Rana (manager), Misbah-ul-Haq (head coach), Shahid Aslam (assistant to head coach), Younis Khan (batting coach), Mushtaq Ahmed (spin bowling coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Talha Butt (team analyst), Yasir Malik (strength and conditioning coach), Dr Sohail Saleem (team doctor), Lt Col (retd) Usman Riffat (security manager) and Raza Kitchlew (media and digital content manager).

Not tested to date

Shoaib Malik, Cliffe Deacon and Waqar Younis.

Previous positive results

On Monday, Imad Wasim and Usman Shinwari had tested negative, while the results of Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan were positive.

Like Haider, Haris and Shadab none of the seven players and masseur had reported any prior symptoms of Covid-19 until they underwent first round of testing on Monday ahead of the side’s departure for Manchester.

The PCB medical panel is already in contact with these players and the masseur, who have been instructed to observe strict quarantine at their homes for their and their families’ wellbeing.

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Next steps are:

- The players and player support personnel, who have tested negative, will assemble in a bio-secure environment in Lahore on June 24 and will undergo second round of testing on June 25

- The players and player support personnel, who will test negative on June 25, will depart for Manchester on a chartered flight. Within 24 after hours after arriving in the UK, they will be tested by the ECB medical panel

- The players and player support personnel, who will test negative upon arrival in the UK, will observe a quarantine period as per the UK government’s regulations, but will be allowed to train and practice in a bio-secure facility

- The players and player support personnel, who have tested positive in pre-departure testing, will observe self-isolation in their homes and remain under strict monitoring of the PCB medical panel

- As soon as they will complete their minimum quarantine period, they will undergo further testing and after their two tests are negative, they will be flown to England on a commercial airline

- Upon arrival in the UK, they will be tested again by the ECB medical panel and will be allowed to integrate with the Pakistan men’s national squad after they test negative

- According to series SOPs, the Pakistan men’s national cricket team will undergo, at least, five tests in the lead up to the first test.

PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan's statement

“The recent positive tests of some of the fittest athletes, who had not shown any symptoms, clearly reflect the danger this virus possesses. As such, and on behalf of the PCB, I once again request the public to strictly adhere to all safety precautions as advised and recommended by the federal and provincial governments to ensure their health and safety as well as of their dear and near ones.

“As regards the players, who have tested positive, we will continue to monitor and support them, including conducting antibody tests, and as soon as they test negative, they will be flown to join the squad in England. At the moment, they have been advised to go into self-isolation so that they not only recover quickly but also prevent their other family members from being infected.

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“The tour to England is very much on track and the side will depart as per schedule on 28 June. Fortunately, all the first-choice red-ball  squad, barring Mohammad Rizwan, are negative, which means they can start training and practicing immediately  after they have been tested and given the all clear when they arrive in England

“In the meantime, Misbah-ul-Haq is reviewing the training schedule in England and is firming up plans for reserve players to be tested as a backup.”

Reaction

 

Prayers for quick recovery of Fakhar, Imran Khan, Kashif, Hafeez, Hasnain, Rizwan and Wahab and Malang. Please take good care. Appeal to all Pakistanis, please take the virus seriously!

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) June 23, 2020

 

Prayers are for my Pakistan Team friends & seniors who have tested positive for COVID-19. The good thing is that all had no symptoms and some have also developed the antibodies.
You are all warriors. Get well soon, in sha Allah. #RiseAndRise

— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) June 23, 2020

 

Just heard the news that 10 of my fellow players have been tested positive for #Covid_19 .

All my prayers for your speedy recovery lads,u guys know well how to fight this out and beat it very soon IA.❤️#staysafe everyone.

— Ahmad Shahzad 🇵🇰 (@iamAhmadshahzad) June 23, 2020

 

Praying for you all 🤲🏼
May Allah bless you guys with a speedy recovery in sha Allah@MHafeez22 @WahabViki @FakharZamanLive @76Shadabkhan @iMRizwanPak @MHasnainPak @HarisRauf14 @iamhaideraly @ImeeK218 & Kashif.

A humble request to all reading this please #StayHomeStaySafe 🙏🏽

— Bismah Maroof (@maroof_bismah) June 23, 2020

 

I wish and pray that the players who tested positive for #COVID__19 get well soon. Stay safe stay healthy

— Junaid khan 83 (@JunaidkhanREAL) June 23, 2020

 

Much prayers for my colleagues in Pakistan Cricket team who were tested positive for COVID-19. I pray for a speedy recovery for everyone. In sha Allah, this phase will be over soon. #RiseAndRise

— Naseem Shah (@iNaseemShah) June 23, 2020