Karachi
The South African cricket team kicked off its training session on Sunday, a day after their arrival. All the members of the squad tested negative for coronavirus before their inaugural practice session ahead of the two-match Test series in Karachi.
The tourists went to the historic Karachi Gymkhana ground adjacent to their hotel on the city’s Club Road for the practice session and trained for over three hours.
All the members of the team were present at the venue which has become a part of the team’s biosecure bubble. “It was a light training session to get the players back in form. The intensity will increase with each session,” said an official of the South Africa cricket team.
The South African team will continue to train at Karachi Gymkhana till 22nd January before they move their nets to National Stadium to intensify the preparation ahead of the Test. Quinton de Kock, the captain of the South Africa team, is scheduled to have a media interaction on Monday.
The first Test match between Pakistan and South Africa will begin on 26th January at National Stadium. Members of South Africa’s cricket team have tested negative for the novel coronavirus in the first round of testing conducting upon their arrival in the sea port city on Saturday, the Cricket South Africa said on Sunday.
“The Proteas Test squad has arrived safely in Karachi to begin preparation for their historical, two-match series against the hosts beginning on 26 January,” said the board in a statement.
It said said the touring side underwent COVID-19 testing upon arrival at the team hotel and has been quarantining in their rooms since then. “The team will commence with training as a full squad today.”
Proteas squad has been allowed to practice and train at the Karachi Gymkhana from today. The CSA said media personnel will not be allowed to interact with the team in person during the training session but the team captain, Quinton de Kock, will address a virtual press conference tomorrow.
South Africa last toured Pakistan in 2007 when they won the two-match series 1-0 and return for two Tests in Karachi and Rawalpindi and three Twenty20 internationals later this month.—APP
