Pakistan and England cricketers pass latest virus tests

The England and Pakistan cricket squads passed their latest coronavirus tests. All 20 players and 11 staff in the Pakistan squad have tested negative for COVID-19 since arriving on Sunday, the England and Wales Cricket Board said on Tuesday.

Pakistan is in a two-week quarantine in Worcester for a test and Twenty20 series in August.

All of England’s players and management also were negative in their third round of tests on Monday.

They are in Southampton preparing for the first test next week against the West Indies.

Meanwhile, six Pakistan players picked for the tour who tested positive last week and had to stay home have tested negative for a second time in three days and have been cleared to join the squad in England.

The six were opening batsman Fakhar Zaman, allrounder Mohammad Hafeez, legspinner Shadab Khan, wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan and fast bowlers Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Hasnain.

The Pakistan Cricket Board said all six players were retested on Monday, following a first negative test last Friday.

"All the six players were re-tested on Monday, following their first negative test on June 26," the PCB confirmed.

However, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Haider Ali and Haris Rauf tested positive for a second time.

They will not be allowed to travel to England until they have recorded two consecutive negative tests.

Pakistan will play three Tests and three Twenty20 internationals against England starting in August, with the exact dates still to be confirmed.

The Pakistan squad arrived in England late Sunday and have started a 14-day mandatory quarantine period before intra-squad practice games.

A 30-strong England squad and support staff are currently in a bio-secure training camp at the Ageas Bowl ahead of next week's opening Test against the West Indies.

This first fixture in the three-match series will mark the return of major international cricket from lockdown.

Agencies