7 more Pakistani cricketers test positive for coronavirus

Islamabad : A day after PCB announced that three of its cricketers have tested positive for the coronavirus, seven more players have tested positive for the infection. The PCB, in its press release, said that seven players Fakhar Zaman, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan and Wahab Riaz tested positive on Tuesday.

With this the total number of infected cricketers has gone to 10. Haris Rauf, Haider Ali and Shadab Khan had tested positive on Monday.

"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 said in its media release.

According PCB, 35 of its players and staff members were tested for the coronavirus ahead of their England tour of which 10 players and one support staff personnel have tested positive.

Pakistan was scheduled to leave for England on June 28 to play three Tests and as many T20Is and the PCB CEO said the tour is "very much on track" despite several of its players testing positive for the virus.

"It is not a great situation to be in and what it shows is these are 10 fit and young athletes...if it can happen to players it can happen to anyone," PCB CEO, Wasim Khan told a media conference.

"It is a matter of concern but we shouldn't panic at this time as we have time on our hands," he added.

"The tour to England is very much on track and the side will depart as per schedule on 28 June," said the PCB CEO.

"As mentioned in on Monday, senior cricketer Shoiab Malik, bowling coach Waqar Younis and physiotherapist Cliffe Deacon are yet to be tested."

Interestingly, none of the positive players showed any symptoms of coronavirus.