4 Pakistani cricketers test positive for coronavirus COVID-19 again, 6 test negative

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday said in an official statement that four Pakistani cricketers Kashif Bhatti, Haris Rauf, Haider Ali and Imran Khan have been again tested positive for coronavirus COVID-19.

The PCB statement added that six out of the ten Pakistan players who had earlier tested positive for the deadly virus have now tested negative. The players tested negative are Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, and Wahab Riaz. Young pacer Musa Khan and Pakistan Under-19 captain and wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir and three other reserve players for upcoming tour to England have also tested negative for coronavirus.

"Following advice from leading sports science experts and as per the UK government regulations, players who have tested positive during the PCB testing process will be unable to travel on Sunday," the PCB said in an official statement.

"I want to reassure the players and the official left behind that the PCB will provide them best support and look after them during the quarantine period. It needs to be remembered that these players were asymptomatic, which means their chances of regaining complete fitness are higher and brighter than most," PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said.

"As soon as these players test negative twice through the PCB testing process they will be flown to England to join the squad," he added.

According to PCB, the players who were again tested positive will undergo tests after the end of their mandatory quarantine period and will leave Pakistan for England following two negative tests. 

It is to be noted that Pakistan are scheduled to play three Tests and as many T20Is against England in August and September.