PAKISTAN TOUR OF ENGLAND, 2020
“We are far enough away from the start of the Test series to not worry about that too much at the moment.” © AFP
Ashley Giles, England’s director of men’s cricket, admits it is a “concern” that three Pakistan players have tested positive for Covid-19 but he does not think their tour to the UK is in doubt.
Out of five players tested in Rawalpindi on Sunday (June 21), Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan all tested positive for coronavirus despite showing no symptoms. All three were immediately placed into isolation and will not travel to England with the rest of the squad on Sunday (June 28).
The remaining players in the 29-man squad and the management team were also tested, the results of which are expected on Tuesday (June 23). Imad Wasim and Usman Shinwari, the two players who tested negative from the Rawalpindi group, will travel to Lahore on Wednesday ahead of the team’s departure to the UK.
“It is a concern, and obviously I’m most concerned about those players who tested positive and concerned about their welfare,” Giles said. “At the moment, I don’t think the series is in doubt. We are far enough away from the start of the Test series to not worry about that too much at the moment.
“There are some more test results coming out later from the rest of the group so we will see what that says, but we are still hopeful that the Pakistan team will be arriving in the country fairly soon.”
If a significant number of the Pakistan squad test positive for Covid-19 in the results to come, it will raise questions as to the viability of the three-Test matches and three T20Is in August. For now, Giles believes there is enough time before those series for any issues to be resolved.
“There are a number of hurdles to cross. We are waiting on those other test results. We still are far enough out, even if a number of those results were still positive, but this is the difference with the international sport. We need to get our opposition in the country.
“Anything that puts that at risk or in danger is clearly a problem. It is such a far-reaching issue, a global issue that is affecting everyone. Far more important things going on than sport. We are hopeful that if we can get international sport on, it will be a real fillip for many people around the world.”
England’s 30-man squad for three Tests against West Indies go into a pre-series camp at the Ageas Bowl today, under strict bio-secure requirements. Although the first Test, which begins in Southampton on July 8, is a little over two weeks away, Giles admits there is still a degree of uncertainty surrounding England’s programme of international matches.
“I think all of this has uncertainty still, even to a degree the West Indies series, because we know how fast-moving this situation has been around the world,” Giles said. “We have been very careful at every step. Do we really know what’s round the corner? No. That’s why we are trying to create environments that mitigate as much risk as we possibly can.
“Of course, in the Pakistan team’s case, the situation in Pakistan is not great at the moment and our thoughts go out to the whole country. But clearly it is important we get that team and those guys in our country and we can get on with that series. First things first, the West Indies are ahead of us and we go into bubble today.”
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