West Indies tour to Pakistan cut short by COVID-19 positives

The West Indies tour to Pakistan has been cut short following the postponement of the three-match ODI series.

Indications are that the series will now be played in June 2022 with the West Indies players not in quarantine to leave Pakistan after Thursday’s third T20I.

West Indies rocked by more COVID-19 positives

Having seen three players ruled out of the tour with COVID-19 on arrival, the Windies were hit by another five confirmed ‘infections’.

Officials from the Pakistan Cricket Board and Cricket West Indies met ahead of the third T20I to discuss the fate of the tour and while they agreed to complete the ongoing T20I series it was decided that it was best to cut this tour short.

It is understood that the Pakistan squad will be released from their bio-bubble and sent home.

“On Thursday morning and as part of the PCB Covid-19 Protocols, Rapid Antigen tests were conducted on the remaining 15 West Indies players and six player support personnel,” a PCB release said. “All 21 members of the West Indies touring party returned negative test result. As such, Thursday’s T20 International (T20I) proceeded as planned.

“However, taking into consideration both the teams’ welfare as well as limited resources in the West Indies side for the ODIs, it has been agreed that the series, which forms part of the ICC Men’s Cricket Word Cup Super League, will be postponed and rescheduled for early June 2022.

“This will provide the West Indies with an equal opportunity to field their best available players for the World Cup qualification matches.

“The West Indies team members, who returned negative results following Wednesday’s PCR and today’s Rapid Antigen tests, will depart from Pakistan after tonight’s match. Those who have tested positive will complete their isolation in Karachi before their travel arrangements are finalised to allow them to rejoin their families in time for Christmas celebrations.

“Meanwhile, the Pakistan team members, all of whom have returned PCR negative after Wednesday’s tests, will also be leaving the Managed Event Environment after tonight’s third T20I.”

Pakistan had already secured a T20I series victory, with comfortable wins on Monday and Tuesday of this week.