COVID-19 test: Big names under consideration for England tour

Following positive coronavirus tests of 10 squad members, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering recalling some experienced and new faces for the tour.

Following first phase of COVID-19 assessment 10 cricketers, from a total of 35, were tested positive for the deadly bug.

The selectors had already named four reserve players, Imran Butt, Bilal Asif, Musa Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, as a cover if any player failed pre-tour COVID-19 test. However, now they are looking at other options as well.

Among those cricketers, Openers Sami Aslam, Zeeshan Malik and wicketkeeper-batsmen Adnan Akmal, Zeeshan Ashraf and Rohail Nazir are being considered as possible replacements.

Meanwhile, for bowlers, pacers Junaid Khan, Ehsan Adil and Tabish Khan are topping the list.

Chief selector-cum-head coach Misbahul Haq has been given the authority by the selection committee to take the final call on the replacements.

The 18 players who tested negative will report to a local hotel in Lahore today, where they will be placed in a bio-secure environment ahead of tomorrow's round two of testing.