Pakistan have suffered a massive setback ahead of the second Test of the ongoing three-match Test series against Australia, starting on March 12 at the National Stadium in Karachi.
With both the Pakistan and Australia squads traveling to Karachi after the first Test ended in a draw on March 8, Pakistan all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, who was also on the flight, tested positive for COVID-19, which ruled him out of the second Test in Karachi.
On Wednesday, March 9, Faheem tested positive for COVID-19 upon his arrival in Karachi and was ruled out of the second test after missing the Rawalpindi Test due to fitness issues.
He will now be in five-day isolation and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stated that if required, a replacement will be named soon. The rest of Pakistan's squad returned negative tests, meaning that Haris Rauf is back in contention for selection. Haris Rauf had also tested positive for COVID-19 in Rawalpindi.
Due to fitness issues, Pakistan was also without pace bowler Hasan Ali for the first Test.
Notably, the Australian team reached Karachi amidst heavy security and was driven straight from the airport to the hotel. They will start their full practice sessions at the National Stadium on March 10.
(With PTI Inputs)
