Zeeshan Ashraf, Junaid Khan among players being considered for England tour

The selection committee has started deliberating over possible replacements for the players who tested positive for novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

Following the announcement on Monday 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.

Earlier, the selectors had named four reserves in Bilal Asif, Imran Butt, Musa Khan and Mohammad Nawaz as a cover in case any of the players fail pre-tour Covid-19 testing. However, now they are looking at other options as well.

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Openers Sami Aslam, Zeeshan Malik and wicketkeeper-batsmen Adnan Akmal, Zeeshan Ashraf and Rohail Nazir are being considered as possible replacements.

On the fast-bowling front, pacers Ehsan Adil, Junaid Khan and Tabish Khan are also under consideration.

Chief selector-cum-head coach Misbahul Haq has been given the authority by the selection committee to take the final call on the replacements.

The 18 players who tested negative will report to a local hotel in Lahore today, where they will be placed in a bio-secure environment ahead of tomorrow's round two of testing.