LAHORE: All six players, who tested negative in the second round of the Covid-19 test last week, underwent their third test here on Monday.

In case of negative tests, they will be eligible to fly for England to join the Pakistan team there for the upcoming tour comprising three Tests and as many T20 Internationals starting from Aug 5.

The six cricketers, who were tested for the third time include Mohammad Hafeez, Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Hasnain.

Their first tests came positive but second were negative. For travelling to the UK, back-to-back negative results of Covid-19 test are mandatory.

The six players were tested at a local hotel under bio-secure environment. In case of negative test, they will travel to the UK, as a number of airlines have resumed their flights which remained suspended during the last few months due to the pandemic.

A 35-member Pakistan squad — including 20 players and 11 officials — left for the UK on Sunday in a chartered flight. All of them were tested upon reaching England on Monday in Worcestershire. A medical panel of the England and Wales Cricket Board conducted the tests.

The entire Pakistan squad in England will spend 14 days in quarantine. However, they will continue to undergo training during this period while following the specified SOPs.

PCB chairman Ehsan Mani with his spouse also travelled in the chartered plane.

A PCB spokesman said the chairman was on annual leave and there was no need to appoint any acting chairman in his absence because he will be available online.

According to the spokesman, Mani will chair the general council meeting of the Pakistan Super League on July 2 via video-link.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2020