PAK-WI ODI series postponed after COVID outbreak in West Indies camp

The three-match ODI series between Pakistan and West Indies has been postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak in the West Indies camp. Days after three West Indies players - Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, and Kyle Mayers, tested positive for COVID-19, five more members of the contingent, Shai Hope, Justin Greaves, and Akeal Hosein, bowling coach Roddy Estwick and physician Akshai Mansingh delivered positive results post which the series getting postponed was inevitable.

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The series will now be played in June next year. However, the final T20I between the two teams is being played in Karachi today. Pakistan have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, having won the first two games. This was Pakistan's sixth T20I series win this year.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and West Indies Cricket(CWI) released a joint statement which stated that the decision was taken keeping in mind the welfare of the players.

“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,” said in a press release. All 21 members of the West Indies touring party returned negative test results. As such, Thursday’s T20I proceeded as planned.

“It has been agreed that the series, which forms part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, will be postponed and rescheduled for early June 2022,” the statement read.

The players who are COVID-19 negative will depart for West Indies after the final T20I, while the other positive members will stay in Karachi under isolation until they return negative results post which the travel arrangements will be made for them.