WI tour of PAK hit by COVID -19 scare, three West Indies players test positive

Pakistan and West Indies are set to cross swords in three T20Is and as many ODIs from December 13 in Karachi. Ahead of the series, the West Indies trio of Roston Chase, Kyle Mayers, and Sheldon Cottrell have tested positive for COVID-19. Cricket West Indies (CWI) confirmed the development on Saturday (December 11). The visitors landed in Karachi on December 9. As per COVID norms and guidelines, the West Indies players were tested upon their arrival in Pakistan. During the test, three players along with a non-coaching member of the team management unfortunately tested positive for the virus.

All four members are fully vaccinated and are asymptomatic. They have been told to isolate by the medical staff and won’t be available for the upcoming series. Other members have returned to negative results.

Chase, Cottrell and Mayers unavailable for T20I Series in Pakistan after COVID-19 positive tests | Read More: https://t.co/bYHZ27FrrL

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) December 11, 2021

“Our arrival testing protocols in Pakistan have confirmed four (4) COVID-19 positives, Grave was quoted by a CWI release. “These were confirmed whilst the players and staff were still in room isolation, so despite this significant setback to our preparation plans, we are confident that the tour can continue as everyone else returned negative PCRs prior to their arrival into Pakistan and two negative PCRs since they have been in Karachi.

“The risk of COVID-19 infection is impossible to remove completely from a cricket tour, in spite of the fact that many of our players have been living in bio-secure bubbles almost continuously since before the CPL. This unusual loss of three players from our squad will seriously impact our team preparations, but the rest of the squad are in good spirits and will begin training today ahead of our first game on Monday,” it added

Despite the players testing positive, there is no threat to the white-ball series which will go ahead as per schedule. Johnny Grave, the CEO of CWI confirmed the same but said the unavailability of Chase, Mayers, and Cottrell is a big blow for the team. “Will seriously impact our team preparations,” Grave said according to ESPN Cricinfo.

All the six scheduled limited-overs matches will be played in Karachi. The three ODIs will also be part of the Men’s ODI 50-over World Cup Super League.