Lahore
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday confirmed that it will send a combined 25-player squad, which will remain under bio-secure conditions for up to three months, to England tour in July due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Players will stay at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore from early June to resume training in pairs, and gradually will move to Gaddafi Stadium across the road for three weeks in a larger group setting, ESPNcricinfo reported.
However, Pakistan will allow its players to opt-out from the tour if they feel so. “It seems the Pakistan cricket team will have to remain under strict bio-secure environment for up to three months. Players will be given an option to withdraw if they are still not satisfied with the provisions that will be put in place; full details will be provided in the coming weeks,” PCB CEO Wasim Khan said in a statement.
Pakistan is scheduled to play three Tests in August followed by a series of three T20Is, with the matches taking place behind closed doors as part of measures to combat Covid-19.
The two boards held a meeting last week in which the ECB talked the PCB through plans to keep players in a bio-secure environment, from the moment they land in the country, with a two-week quarantine period on arrival.
On the other hand, England has allowed its players to resume training this week as the country plans for a return of international cricket.
England becomes the first nation to commence training for its players after been badly hit by the Covid-19.
Currently, all the cricketing action across the world has come to a standstill due to the pandemic. If England and West Indies indeed go ahead with the Test series, then it can be a first international cricket series since March this year.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials — Wasim Khan, Zakir Khan, Dr Sohail Saleem and Pakistan cricket team chief coach Misbah-ul-Haq here Wednesday updated players on their last week’s discussions with the English Cricket Board concerning the upcoming England tour.
Players were assured the PCB will not compromise on their health and safety, said a spokesman for the PCB.
“The PCB briefed the players it will be looking to send a 25-player squad comprising red and white-ball players in early July; the squad will stay together till the end of the tour,” he added.
The spokesman said the PCB is planning to hold a pre-tour training camp in Lahore from early June amidst strict ICC guidelines.
Dr Sohail Saleem, Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis will devise training schedule in line with strict health and safety guidelines.
He said the PCB will share further details with the players post their next round discussion with the ECB.
“It seems the Pakistan cricket team will have to remain under strict bio-secure environment secure for up to three months,” said Wasim Khan adding “ Players will be given an option to withdraw if they are still not satisfied with the provisions that will be put in place; full details will be provided in the coming weeks.
“The PCB is ready to deal with the unprecedented operational and logistical challenges of housing and training by ensuring a profound bio-secure cover for the players in Lahore before flying them to England,” said Zakir Khan.
PCB confirms new central contracts to include medical coverage for players’ immediate families.—APP
