Hafeez, five others test negative for COVID-19

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday confirmed that six players – Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan and Wahab Riaz – have tested negative for Covid-19 for the second time in three days and, as such, are now eligible to join the national team in Worcestershire.

The players were retested on Monday, 29 June, following a first negative test on 26 June.

The PCB will now start making their travel arrangements.

Earlier, the board had named a 29-member squad for the tour. However, players who had tested positive, during the initial PCB testing process, were unable to travel on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the 20-player contingent was tested again by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) upon their arrival at Worcestershire before the 14-day isolation period, during which they will be allowed to train and practice. The side will move to Derbyshire on July 13.

As per the tentative schedule of the series, the first Test will be played on August 5 in Manchester. Pakistan will play the remaining two games in Southampton, starting on August 13 and 21 respectively.

Pakistan will also play three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) in Southampton on August 29, 31 and September 2.