The increasing cases of the COVID-19 in Pakistan have forced the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to decide against conducting a training camp in a ‘bio-secure’ environment in order to prepare its national players for the upcoming tour of England.
It has been reported that there are more than 100,000 COVID-19 positive cases with more than 2000 people losing their lives due to fast-growing disease in Pakistan till Tuesday (June 9), while Prime Minister Imran Khan has warned that the country is not likely to see a peak in infections before August.
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While England had already started training for the West Indies series followed by the Pakistan series, PCB was looking to prepare its players for the UK tour where they are scheduled to play 3 Tests and as many as T20Is early August, but had to cancel its camp plans on Tuesday because of the players' safety.
The PCB announced the same in a statement: “Taking into account the Covid-19 outlook in Pakistan in the coming weeks, the operational and logistical matters as well the observation that keeping players in a safe and secure environment would remain a challenge, the PCB has decided not to hold a training camp of the national men’s team prior to their departure for England.”
Following the cancellation of the camp, the PCB has asked England and Wales Cricket Board to make the early arrival arrangements in England for the Pakistan squad, which was originally scheduled to land in the UK on July 6, so that they have enough time to prepare for the series.
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The statement further reads: “The PCB is already in discussions with the ECB to bring forward their early July departure date for England so the Pakistan squad can benefit from the additional practice time there. More details around the pre-tour Covid-19 testing of the players and player support personnel, assembling them in Lahore and their training/match schedule will be shared in due course.
The PCB, meanwhile, has reminded the players to not to practice at cricket grounds during this period and that they must observe and adhere to strict social distancing protocols. These instructions have been issued as their personal wellbeing and that of their families remains paramount.”
Noteworthy, it is being said that the PCB is considering sending at least 25 players in the touring squad to England to avoid problems if replacements are required, given the Coronavirus situation in the UK.
(With AP Inputs)
