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PCB completes first phase of COVID vaccination for players and support staff

The Pakistan Cricket Board(PCB) in collaboration with the Pakistan government’s National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has successfully completed the first phase of COVID-19 vaccination of the Pakistan players and support staff.

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Sky247 Staff
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Babar Azam (Image Credit Twitter)

The Pakistan Cricket Board(PCB) in collaboration with the Pakistan government’s National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has successfully completed the first phase of COVID-19 vaccination of the Pakistan players and support staff.

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During the first phase, 57 men cricketers, 13 officials of the men’s team and 13 NHPC men and women coaches were vaccinated. Several of the franchise players, PCB officials and support staff involved in the PSL were also vaccinated.

The vaccination drive was initiated on 4th March in Karachi and was carried on for over two months before concluding on May 6. The Pakistan players that are part of the Zimbabwe tour were given the second dose in Harare.

In the second phase, remaining domestic cricketers, national women cricketers, age group cricketers and support staff of National women and age group teams will be vaccinated. The second phase of vaccination is expected to start soon.

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PCB CEO Salman Naseer confirmed the development.

"The PCB has a duty of care towards its cricketers, especially in the ongoing pandemic, and keeping that in mind we requested the NCOC for vaccines during the HBL Pakistan Super League 6. The vaccination drive started in Karachi and our first priority was to get the players and support staff involved in the tournament vaccinated.

“After the initial round of vaccination in Karachi, we focused on getting the remaining members of the men’s squad, who were not involved in the HBL PSL 6, vaccinated before the tours of South Africa and Zimbabwe.

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He further expressed gratitude to the NCOC for recognizing the importance of vaccination for the players, who are continuously travelling due to their international commitments. The PCB CEO also requested common citizens to get vaccinated.

“We remain grateful to the NCOC for recognizing the importance of vaccines for our players and prioritizing them for national interest as both players and support staff are constantly traveling for domestic and international cricket commitments and carry infection risks especially once outside the bio-secure bubbles.

“The PCB is fully behind the government’s vaccination drive and once again urges people across Pakistan to get vaccinated in order to ensure the health and safety of their own selves and their families.

“Our players – both men and women – and PCB management will continue to provide full support and backing to the NCOC vaccine awareness initiatives as they have done repeatedly since the outbreak of the pandemic last year.”

Cricket News Pakistan