PCB awaiting COVID-19 test results of around 100 people

Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board on Wednesday said around 100 people, including players, associated with the now-suspended Pakistan Super League have undergone COVID-19 tests. PSL was postponed on Tuesday after the country's Cricket Board revealed that a foreign player showed symptoms with former captain-turned-commentator Ramiz Raja revealing that it was England's Alex Hales. Hales later said he has gone into self-isolation due to fever and persistent dry cough after returning home. "We are expecting the first results later tonight or tomorrow," a PCB official said.

"Until now no test result has come but we have taken all precautionary steps to ensure the health and safety of players and officials belonging to the semi-finalist teams, umpires, commentators and even PCB officials and production staff members," he added. The coronavirus outbreak has so far claimed more than 8000 lives and infected close to 2,00,000 globally. Given the health crisis, the PCB has announced closure of its offices in Lahore and Karachi until Monday when they would review the situation and take further decisions. For the time being, the employees have been told to work from home and practice social distancing. Asked if the foreigners, who were a part of the production staff, had been allowed to return home, the official didn't give a clear answer, saying it was an ongoing process and the test results were awaited. The PCB has come under criticism for not postponing the Pakistan Super League earlier, but the official said they took all decisions in consultation with the government and health agencies