Five members of West Indies squad contract Covid-19

Five members of West Indies squad contract Covid-19

 

KARACHI (Dunya News/AFP) - Five more members of the West Indies cricket squad -- including three players -- have tested positive for Covid, officials said Thursday, leaving the rest of their Pakistan tour hanging in the balance.

Four members of the touring party tested positive on Saturday, bringing the total to nine since they arrived last week for a Twenty20 and limited-over series.

Cricket West Indies officials said they would meet with their Pakistan counterparts later Thursday "once all members of the touring party have been tested again" to determine whether they can continue.

A further five members of the West Indies touring party have tested positive for COVID-19 | More below: https://t.co/lOhSH1UdIu

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) December 16, 2021

Any cancellation would be a huge blow to Pakistan, which has seen tours by New Zealand and England called off in recent months on security grounds.

Pakistan won the first two Twenty20 matches against West Indies with dead rubber to be due to played later today in Karachi.

The three ODIs are scheduled for December 18, 20 and 22.

West Indies officials said the latest positive test results in the squad came from wicketkeeper-batsman Shai Hope, left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, all-rounder Justin Greaves, assistant coach Roddy Estwick, and physician Akshai Mansingh.

Left-arm pace bowler Sheldon Cottrell and all-rounders Roston Chase and Kyle Mayers, tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday, along with a team official.

Tour Schedule

December 13: 1st T20I, Karachi – Pakistan won by 63 runs December 14: 2nd T20I, Karachi – Pakistan won by 9 runs December 16: 3rd T20I, Karachi December 18: 1st ODI, Karachi December 20: 2nd ODI, Karachi December 22: 3rd ODI, Karachi