Five more members of the West Indian touring party have tested positive for Covid-19 in the latest round, casting a cloud over the remaining matches of the series.
Five more West Indian touring members have come out positive following the latest round of Covid-19 tests and created a doubt in the remaining matches of the tour against Pakistan which includes a T20I and three ODI’s at the National Stadium Karachi.
Among the players who came out positive in the test results is Team Physician Dr. Akshai Mansingh, Assistant Coach Roddy Estwick, and players Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, and Justin Greaves.
After these five cases, it takes the tally of positive cases in the West Indies camp to nine since their arrival in the West Indies.
“All three players will therefore miss the upcoming matches and all five individuals will remain isolated from the rest of the West Indies squad and are now under the care and supervision provided by the medical officials. They will remain in isolation for ten (10) days or until they return negative PCR test results,”
a Cricket West Indies release stated.
Apart from the total six players now ruled out from the squad due to Covid-19, West Indies have seen Devon Thomas ruled out following a finger injury sustained in the opening T20I.
“CWI and PCB Officials will be meeting on Thursday morning, once all members of the touring party have been tested again, to determine whether the tour can continue.”
First T20I between Pakistan and West Indies
The series opener between Pakistan and West Indies has seen Haider Ali, who got the man of the match award, and Mohammad Rizwan as star performers of the night.
The young gun Haider scored 68 off 39 balls while Rizwan made 52-ball 78. The duo posted 105 runs for a third-wicket stand against West Indies, helping the Men in Green to post 200/6 while batting first.
“There was obvious pressure as we lost wickets at the top but Rizi bhai instructed me to take my time in the middle, access the pitch, and choose your bowler,”
Haider Ali said.
“He has played a huge part in my last few scores as he was scoring from his end and it allowed me to get set. Once we get into our groove, we charged and our partnership went stronger,”
he added.
“Thankful to Allah for achieving back-to-back Player of the Match Awards. I am happy as the team has won and we will look to continue this momentum in the remainder of the series.” “I do simple practice but I increased the period of hitting at the nets. I will improve more as no one is perfect,”
he concluded.
Pakistan beat West Indies by 63 runs in the first T20I.
Second T20I between Pakistan and West Indies
Pakistan overcame their batting blips in the second T20I along with some fight from the West Indian line-up in Brandon King and Romario Shepherd who scored their maiden half-centuries.
However, Pakistan marked their seventh successive T20I victory against West Indies and 19th overall in a calendar year after winning the second T20I by nine runs to lead the series by 2-0 at National Stadium Karachi.
Pakistan slipped down from 86 for two in 11 overs to 141 for seven in 18 overs before a late cameo by Shadab Khan (28 not out of 12 balls) helped his side reach 172 for eight after they had elected to bat first.
It went to the wire when it required 23 runs in the final over and Haris Rauf was handed the ball which he defended well to give Pakistan a nine runs victory.
