Pakistan's tour of England in jeopardy after coronavirus setback

Three Pakistan players have tested positive while a number of big names are also missing

Haris Rauf – the fast bowler has been a T20 revelation since being plucked from tape-ball cricket to play in the 2019, and has designs on playing Test cricket, too. He has tested positive for Covid-19. Getty

Haider Ali – the highly-regarded 19-year-old batsman is set for his debut tour with the senior team, but was the third player to test positive for coronavirus on Monday. AFP

Shadab Khan – the leg-spinner is already a senior figure in the Pakistan set up, despite being only 21 years old. He also tested positive for Covid-19. AFP

Hasan Ali – Ditched from the Pakistan team’s WhatsApp group in March after losing his central contract. The fast bowler remains part of their plans, though, but is suffering from a back injury. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Mohammed Amir – Suffered the same fate as Hasan Ali – losing his contract and spot in the WhatsApp group – earlier this month. He would still have been considered for the England tour had he not opted out in readiness for the birth of his second child in August. AP

Haris Sohail – the left-handed batsman informed the PCB he was unavailable for selection for the tour to the UK because of reservations about the pandemic. AP

Shoaib Malik – Given special dispensation to delay his flight to England to spend time with wife, Sania Mirza, and one-year-old son, Izhaan. They had been in India while Malik was in his home town of Sialkot during lockdown. AFP

Pakistan’s tour of to England later this summer is in doubt after three players tested positive for coronavirus.

The PCB announced on Monday that Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan and Haider Ali all had Covid-19, but are asymptomatic.

The trio were among the first five players to receive results of testing ahead of the team flying to UK later this month.

Imad Wasim and Usman Shinwari, the other two payers, tested negative.

Rauf, Shadab and Haider will now face a period of isolation before the tour, but the series must be in jeopardy given the possibility of more positive reports from the remainder of the squad. The results are expected on Tuesday.

Pakistan were already without three senior players for the tour, even before the latest announcement. They were due to fly out at the end of this month.

Above is a picture gallery of Pakistan players who are not part of the mix for now, either due to health reasons or loss of form. To view the next image, click on the arrow or simply swipe.