Cricket West Indies have confirmed that there are 5 new Covid-19 positive cases in the WI squad touring Pakistan. Results from PCR tests administered on Wednesday confirmed that wicketkeeper/batsman Shai Hope, left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, all-rounder Justin Greaves; along with Assistant Coach Roddy Estwick, and Team Physician Dr. Akshai Mansingh returned positive results in the latest round of testing carried out by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Akeal Hosein, Shai Hope, and Justin Greaves will therefore miss the rest of the tour and all five individuals will remain isolated from the rest of the West Indies squad and are now under the care and supervision provided by the medical officials. They will remain in isolation for ten (10) days or until they return negative PCR test results.
This means that 7 players are no longer available for the rest of the Pakistan tour. Apart from the recent infections, Sheldon Cottrell, Roston Chase, and Kyle Mayers are also recovering from the virus while Devon Thomas sustained a finger injury in the first T20 encounter.
Despite the infections, the Pakistan and West Indies officials have agreed to play the 3rd T20 today.
ODI Series postponed
A joint statement issued on behalf of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) indicates the postponement of the ODI series to early June 2022.
The Release
On Thursday morning and as part of the PCB COVID-19 Protocols, Rapid Antigen tests were conducted on the remaining 15 West Indies players and six player support personnel. All 21 members of the West Indies touring party have returned negative test results. As such, Thursday’s T20 International (T20I) proceeded as planned.
However, taking into consideration both the teams’ welfare as well as limited resources in the West Indies side for the ODIs, it has been agreed that the series, which forms part of the ICC Men’s Cricket Word Cup Super League, will be postponed and rescheduled for early June 2022.
This will provide the West Indies with an equal opportunity to field their best available players for the World Cup qualification matches.
The West Indies team members, who returned negative results following Wednesday’s PCR and today’s Rapid Antigen tests, will depart from Pakistan after tonight’s match. Those who have tested positive will complete their isolation in Karachi before their travel arrangements are finalised to allow them to rejoin their families in time for Christmas celebrations.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan team members, all of whom have returned PCR negative after Wednesday’s tests, will also be leaving the Managed Event Environment after tonight’s third T20I.
CWI would like to thank the PCB for its excellent series arrangements and appreciates its support in rescheduling the ODI series in June 2022.
