Pakistan Tour of England 2020

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Giles confident Pakistan's England tour will go ahead despite positive virus cases
AFP
June 23, 2020

England managing director Ashley Giles. — AFP/File


England managing director Ashley Giles believes Pakistan's tour in August will go ahead even though three Pakistani cricketers have tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Monday that leg-spinner Shadab Khan, fast bowler Haris Rauf and teenage batsman Haider Ali had tested positive for Covid-19 despite showing no symptoms and would now go into self-isolation.

Pakistan are due to play three Tests and three Twenty20 internationals against England, starting in August.

More virus results from the Pakistan camp are expected later Tuesday.

Giles expressed his concern, particularly for the Pakistan players who had tested positive, but told a conference call he remained upbeat.

“I don't think the series is in doubt,” he said. “We are far enough away from the start of the Test series to not worry about that too much at the moment.

“There are some more test results coming out later from the rest of the group so we will see what that says, but we are still hopeful that the Pakistan team will be arriving in the country fairly soon.”

Cancelling the Pakistan series could cost the England and Wales Cricket Board an estimated £80 million ($100 million) in lost broadcast revenue.

“This is the difference with international sport,” said Giles. “We need to get our opposition in-country. Anything that puts that at risk or in danger is clearly a problem.”

Pakistan is experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases, with more than 185,000 so far, including 3,716 deaths, while cases are falling in Britain.

“Of course, in the Pakistan team's case, the situation in Pakistan is not great at the moment and our thoughts go out to the whole country,” said Giles.

“But clearly it is important we get that team and those guys in our country and we can get on with that series.”

England are scheduled to face the West Indies in a three-Test series starting at Southampton on July 8.

The West Indies, so far virus-free, start a three-day intra-squad practice match in Manchester on Tuesday as their England counterparts enter a “bio-secure” training bubble in Southampton.


'Uncertainty'

Former England spinner Giles admitted there was still some “uncertainty” surrounding the West Indies series “because we know how fast-moving this situation has been around the world”.

“Do we really know what's round the corner?” he asked. “No. The bubble, Ageas Bowl and Old Trafford, that's why we are trying to create environments that mitigate as much risk as we possibly can.”

The England-West Indies Tests will be the first major international cricket series since the pandemic.

Giles said the return of international sport would give people a lift.

“Far more important things are going on than sport,” he said. “We are hopeful that if we can get international sport on, it will be a real fillip for many people around the world.”

 

[BATMAN]

Why Imran Khan's approval was needed?

I can't recognize the player next to Imam ul Haque:

 

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1954: Pakistan Cricket Team - Tour of England
Sitting L to R are M.E.Z Ghazali, Fazal Mahmood, A.H. Kardar, Maqsood Ahmad & Waqar Hassan.
Standing at the back are Shakoor Ahmad (reserve WK), Mahmood Hussain, Alimuddin, Ikram Elahi, Khalid Hassan, Khalid Wazir & Hanif Mohammad.

 

[KAL-EL]

I know this will probably never happen, but I would love to see if Pakistan could develop an American football style team.

Obviously there would be a logistical issues playing against American teams.

I’m not even sure how popular if at all American football is in Pakistan

 

[Ocelot]

I know this will probably never happen, but I would love to see if Pakistan could develop an American football style team.

Obviously there would be a logistical issues playing against American teams.

I’m not even sure how popular if at all American football is in Pakistan

I never saw the charm in American football. It shouldn't be even called football, "eggball" should be the right name! It's just a brute sports to me. Soccer is the actual football and a truly global sport. I want Pakistan to do better at soccer.

However, baseball is fascinating. I saw a Japanese anime called 'Major' many years ago. It's about an immense struggle of a Japanese kid who become fixated with playing in Major League Baseball, after his baseball dad was killed by an American pitcher in a game. He eventually went on to become a terrifying 100+ mph pitcher. I learned a lot about baseball from it. Fastballs, sinkers, sliders, curveballs, forkballs, changeups; but the protagonist had a skill called 'gyroball', a fastball with a spiral motion.

Baseball does have potential in Pakistan due to a little bit similarity with Cricket.

 

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Pakistan team are better off in England than at home: Michael Holding


The 66-year-old claimed that England was safer than Pakistan as they were set to relax restrictions in the near future


News Desk in Karachi
24 June, 2020

PHOTO: AFP



West Indies’ legendary cricketer Michael Holding has claimed that the Pakistan team would be better off in England rather than their actual home because of the ongoing novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

The 66-year-old claimed that England was safer than Pakistan as they were set to relax restrictions in the near future.

“Well, it would seem that England are safer than whatever is happening in Pakistan right now. As of the fourth of July England are set to have relaxations in their restrictions. They will be reducing the six feet apart rule that was being insisted on, bringing it down to three feet or one meter apart. Things are getting a little bit easier there,” said Holding on his YouTube channel, Mikey holding nothing back.

“They are perhaps better off coming to England as opposed to staying in Pakistan because it is even worse there. Once they get to England, they will be in a bio-secure area. Once they arrive they will have to do their two weeks of quarantine as I am doing at the moment. They will be moved to a bio-secure area to make sure they are not infected. They should be ok from there on,” he added.

The former pacer further claimed that it should be the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the people in England that should have a problem with the Pakistan team arriving on their shores than the other way around.

“If anyone should say that the tour should not go ahead, it should be the ECB or the people here in England because Pakistan is among the top countries in terms of positive tests,” he said.

“I don’t think there is much chance of getting it once they get here as we have seen with the West Indies team. They haven’t had any problems since they arrive. If anyone had the virus it would have shown up by now. So people that think the Pakistan team should not come here are probably thinking more about the England team rather than their own,” he further stated.

Meanwhile, following the announcement on Monday that three players had tested positive for Covid-19, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday confirmed that a further seven players and a player support personnel from a total of 35 have tested positive for Covid-19. The PCB had organised these 35 tests in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar on Monday.

The players and player support personnel, who have tested negative, will assemble in a bio-secure environment in Lahore on June 24 and will undergo a second round of testing on June 25.

Those, who will test negative on June 25, will depart for Manchester on a chartered flight. Within 24 hours after arriving in the UK, they will be tested by the ECB medical panel.

 

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Pakistan vs England: PCB mulling revision of COVID-19 policy to facilitate players

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is mulling to review its current testing policy under which players positive COVID-19 players must have two subsequent negative tests before departing for the upcoming England tour, reported ESPNcricinfo.

The head of the board’s medical department Dr Sohail Saleem has sought guidance from various experts in a bid to understand whether players who tested positive can depart for England after one negative test.

The 10 players and one support staff member will undergo testing again on Friday and if the board were to comply with their original policy, then the group would have a third test on June 29.

However, it is because of the third test that the board is in a dilemma as it would mean that they will miss the chartered flight arranged by the England and Wales Cricket Board on June 28.

It is pertinent to mention that veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez underwent a second test on his personal expense which returned negative, a day after he was declared positive by the PCB.

The board, however, has said that it will only count tests conducted with Shaukat Khanum hospital as the PCB officially acquired its testing services, therefore, Hafeez’s negative test, conducted at a different private lab, will not be considered.

 

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Pakistan to arrive in England for tour despite coronavirus fears

The Pakistan cricket team will arrive in England over the weekend before entering a two-week quarantine period ahead of their tour.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said earlier this week that 10 players had returned positive tests, plus a support staff member.

But the England and Wales Cricket Board said players would arrive for their summer tour on Sunday, with a virus testing programme in place.

It is understood those who have recorded positive Tests — and anyone else who returns a subsequent positive finding — will not be allowed to travel, with the PCB due to confirm its advance party on Saturday.

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez said Wednesday that a second test he commissioned himself proved he did not have coronavirus, a day after the PCB said he was among the players who had officially tested positive.

Hafeez, described by officials as asymptomatic, like the rest of those who tested positive, said he had immediately arranged a private second opinion.

"I personally went to test it again, along with my family, and here I, along with my all family members are reported negative," he tweeted.

Pakistan's fragile health system is struggling to cope with the pandemic.

There have been more than 190,000 confirmed cases in the country so far, with the death toll around 4,000

Britain has been one of the countries hardest-hit by the virus, with more than 43,000 deaths from COVID-19.

Besides Hafeez, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Wahab Riaz, Imran Khan, Mohammad Hasnain and Kashif Bhatti were diagnosed Tuesday as having the virus pathogens.

Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Haider Ali, and a team massage therapist tested positive on Monday.

But of the positive Tests, only wicketkeeper Rizwan would be classed a first-choice Test player.

Pakistan's tour of England is set to include three Tests and three T20 internationals.

It is expected the first Test will take place in Manchester in August but the ECB said the behind-closed-doors schedule would be announced in "due course".

Pakistan will have a 14-day isolation period on arrival before continuing their preparations ahead of the first Test with two internal four-day warm-up matches.

England face the West Indies in a three-Test series starting at Southampton on July 8 — a campaign that will mark the return of international cricket from lockdown.

 

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Pakistan vs England: Hafeez, Wahab, Shadab among 10 players dropped from Pakistan squad

Pakistani squad will be without some key players during England series after they were dropped from the squad for being tested positive for cornavirus, the Pakistan Cricket Board has said.

The board's chief executive Wasim Khan, in a video conference with the media on Saturday, said that players and officials underwent two rounds of testing.

"Eighteen players who had tested negative in their first round of testing have again tested negative as have 11 officials from the team management," said Wasim.

Players Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Haider Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Wahab Riaz, Imran Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain and Kashif Bhatti first tested positive earlier this week.

Of these, four players were such that tested positive both times — Kashif, Haris, Haider and Imran, whereas the remaining six — Hasnain, Shadab, Fakhar, Rizwan, Wahab and Hafeez — tested negative the second time around.

Wasim went on to say that the six players, despite having tested negative the second time around, will not be going to England, bringing the total number of players dropped from the squad to 10.

The team's masseur Malang Ali tested positive twice.

Waseem said that in England, the team will once more undergo testing within the first 24 hours of arrival.

"No questions have been raised by England over our testing methods," he said.

Waseem said that bowling coach Waqar Younis underwent testing in Australia and has been diagnosed negative. Younis will fly for England from there, he added.

He said the players left behind "have not been abandoned" and can rejoin the squad of 18 players once they have taken two negative tests.

Of the five reserve players, he said four — Moosa Khan, Rohail Nazir, Bilal Asif and Mohammad Nawaz — had tested negative and one — Imran Butt — had tested positive.

Waseem said Zafar Gohar will also join the team in England. "He has only been called for practice," he added.

The PCB subsequently announced the 20-player side in a statement, with Azhar Ali to lead the squad and Babar Azam named as vice-captain.

Pakistan's tour of England is set to include three Tests and three Twenty20 internationals.

The squad will have a 14-day isolation period on arrival before continuing their preparations ahead of the first Test with two internal four-day warm-up matches.

It is expected that the first Test will take place in Manchester in August but the England and Wales Cricket Board said the behind-closed-doors match schedule would be announced in "due course".

Pakistan is experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases, with nearly 200,000 declared cases and more than 4,000 deaths, while cases are falling in Britain.

 

[Soumitra]

 

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Reduced Pakistan squad leaves for England tour

LAHORE: A reduced Pakistan squad left for the its first tour to England on Sunday, after sports activity was halted worldwide, for a three Test and as many T20Is after half the players and some members of the support staff tested positive for the coronavirus.

Pakistan's T20 captain Babar Azam tweeted a picture of some of the players from the plane.


Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief executive Wasim Khan on Saturday said the players left behind can rejoin the squad of 18 players once they have taken two negative tests.

"Eighteen players who had tested negative in their first round of testing have again tested negative as have 11 officials from the team management," said Khan.

Players Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Haider Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Wahab Riaz, Imran Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain and Kashif Bhatti first tested positive earlier this week.

Of these, four players were such that tested positive both times — Kashif, Haris, Haider and Imran, whereas the remaining six — Hasnain, Shadab, Fakhar, Rizwan, Wahab and Hafeez — tested negative the second time around.

The team's masseur Malang Ali tested positive twice.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1277117266107105280

Khan said that in England, the team will once more undergo testing within the first 24 hours of arrival. "No questions have been raised by England over our testing methods," he said.

He added that bowling coach Waqar Younis underwent testing in Australia and has been diagnosed negative. Younis will fly for England from there, he added.

Of the five reserve players, he said four — Moosa Khan, Rohail Nazir, Bilal Asif and Mohammad Nawaz — had tested negative and one — Imran Butt — had tested positive.

Waseem said Zafar Gohar will also join the team in England. "He has only been called for practice," he added.

The squad will have a 14-day isolation period on arrival before continuing their preparations ahead of the first Test with two four-day warm-up matches.

It is expected that the first Test will take place in Manchester in August but the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said the behind-closed-doors match schedule would be announced in "due course".

Squad flying off on Sunday includes Azhar Ali (Test captain), Babar Azam (T20 captain), Abid Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Iftikhar Ahmad, Khushdil Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Sohail Khan, Usman Shinwari, Imad Wasim, and Yasir Shah.

Reserve players Rohail Nazir and Musa Khan will also fly out.

 

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Pakistan will look to target England's 'fragile' top-order: Azhar Ali
The 35-year-old believed that England had tried various combinations after the retirement of former opener Alastair Cook

29 June, 2020

PHOTO: AFP



Pakistan’s Test captain Azhar Ali, while talking to reporters before departing for England, claimed that the Men in Green would look to target England’s fragile top-order in their upcoming three-Test encounter.

The 35-year-old believed that England had tried various combinations after the retirement of former opener Alastair Cook but were low on confidence in that department.

“Looking at their batting, their top-order has been fragile for some time since Alastair Cook retired. They have tried a lot of combinations lately and might be looking a bit more settled, but they haven't been really confident with it. So there is something for us in it to look at,” Azhar said.

“Their bowling attack is brilliant in their own conditions. Other than Jofra Archer we have faced all of them - Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Chris Woakes, Ben Stokes, Mark Wood, but we have still won against them,” he added.

Pakistan’s Test skipper claimed that his side was happy with the resumption of cricket in these uncertain times.

“Obviously this news about positive [coronavirus tests] gave us a scare. But we are happy now. The wait is over and cricket is resuming. There is a lot of excitement and hunger to play cricket. Now we have a month in England for preparation and hopefully, this is a sufficient time to focus on skills and get back in our groove. The boys are confident and looking forward for the tour which hopefully will go smoothly,” he said.

"Batting in England has always been tough but we did well in our previous outing. At home in our previous Test, our batsmen scored a lot of centuries. Confidence is still there, so we have a lot to take to England. Once we get 300-plus runs on the board, then I am hopeful that we will do well in the Test matches,” he added.

Meanwhile, the 20-player Pakistan squad has arrived in England, through a chartered flight from Lahore, on Sunday despite novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

Upon arrival in Manchester, the squad was transported to Worcestershire where the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) completed their testing 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.

According to the tentative schedule, 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.

 

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Pakistan cricket squad undergoes COVID-19 testing in England

https://nation.com.pk/NewsSource/app
APP
4:48 PM | June 29, 2020

Pakistan cricket team after reaching England has undergone COVID-19 testing on Monday at Worcestershire.

After landing in Manchester the squad traveled via bus to reach Worcestershire, said a spokesman of the Pakistan Cricket Board here.

England and Wales Cricket Board medical penal conducted the Corona Virus tests of twenty players and twelve team officials who reached England in first phase for playing three test and similar number of T20 games against English side.

Pakistan cricket teams bowling coach Waqar Younis who reached England from Australia to join the team was also tested for COVID-19.

 

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Undercooked Pakistan bid to burst England's bubble
Reuters
June 30, 2020

The England tour will be a good indication of whether Misbah's attempts to change Pakistan's approach
have made any inroads. — Reuters/File


Coach Misbahul Haq has left no stone unturned in his preparations but Pakistan still look decidedly undercooked for their three-test series against England in August-September.

Skipper Azhar Ali and his squad will discover how much cricket has changed in the six months since their last test, with Covid-19 curbs putting a stop to the use of saliva to shine the ball and forcing games to be played without fans.

The bulk of the squad arrived on Sunday after clearing a battery of tests and the matches will be staged in a bio-secure bubble, which will undoubtedly take some time to get used to.

Read: Conditions at Southampton, Manchester to suit Pakistan, says Saqlain

England, however, should be well-versed in cricket’s ‘new normal’ by the time they face Pakistan, with their home series against West Indies next month to be played in the same kind of bio-secure environment.

Pakistan left England with their heads held high after their last two tours, drawing both, most recently under Sarfraz in 2018.

England's Joe Root and Pakistan's Sarfraz Ahmed pose with the trophy after the 2018 series was drawn, in Leeds, UK. — Reuters/File


But England have not lost a home series since 2014 and Pakistan’s callow pace attack looks ill-equipped to end that streak.

Of their frontline quicks, only Mohammad Abbas has played test matches in England, with the exciting Shaheen Afridi and 17-year-old Naseem Shah having only 12 test caps between them.

Medium pacer Sohail Khan, who toured England in 2016 but has not played a test since the Boxing Day match in Australia that year, has been recalled to add his experience.

“In terms of number of games, of course England have tonnes of experience in their bowling,” captain Azhar said before leaving for England on Sunday.

“But we have the skills: (our bowlers) are young and have a lot to offer. They can give trouble to any team in the world.”


'Fragile' top order

Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Joe Denly and Zak Crawley are vying for the top three spots in England’s top order and Azhar saw an opportunity.

“Looking at their batting, their top order has been fragile for some time since Alastair Cook retired,” he said.

Pakistan’s bowlers will also be able to call upon the knowledge and experience of coaches Waqar Younis and Mushtaq Ahmed, who won a test series in England in 1996.

Former captain Younis Khan has also come on board as batting coach for the series and has emphasised the importance of Pakistan’s batsmen posting a first-innings total in excess of 300 runs.

The onus will be on Azhar and Babar Azam to provide the bulk of those runs, with the other batsmen looking to bat in partnership with the mainstays and counter England’s varied pace attack, especially the dangerous Jofra Archer.

Pakistan have been whitewashed by South Africa and Australia in their last two away series and chief selector Misbah, who enjoys considerable power in Pakistan cricket, will be determined not to suffer the same fate in England.

Pakistan have traditionally preferred to wing it rather than plan it and the England series will be a good indication of whether Misbah’s attempts to change that approach have made any inroads.