The global COVID-19 pandemic continues to have its impact on cricket as the second ODI between UAE and Ireland got postponed after Alishan Sharafu tested positive for the virus on Saturday (January 9).

He is the third member in UAE's squad to be tested positive, following Chirag Suri and Aryan Lakra.

The tests that were conducted on December 29 were all negative. Players were then isolated in their separate rooms (in the team hotel) for three days. Chirag tested positive on January 7, followed by Aryan on January 8.

Subsequently, both the cricketers were isolated in their hotel rooms. Since all the remaining tests were negative and after the tracing app data was reassessed, no further close contacts were traced.

"In the early hours of January 9th, and following a seventh test carried out on January 8th on all players and staff in the UAE team bubble, Alishan Sharafu's test also came back positive. Alishan is currently in isolation awaiting transfer by the Health Authorities to a medical isolation facility," the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) said in an official statement.

The two teams have agreed to postpone Sunday's scheduled match until January 16, 2021.

"The Emirates Cricket Board has advised us today of a further positive COVID test amongst its playing squad, and we have both agreed the safest course of action is to postpone the second ODI scheduled for tomorrow. We hope to play this match on the 16th January, all going well," said Richard Holdsworth, High-Performance Director for Cricket Ireland.

(With ANI inputs)