Pakistan support staff member tests positive for COVID-19 ahead of 2nd T20I against England

Pakistan and England are set to face each other in the second of the seven-match T20I series on Thursday (September 22). But only hours before the commencement of the game, a support staff member from the home team has been tested positive for COVID-19. England are currently leading the series after winning the first game comfortably chasing down 159 runs with six wickets in hand.

Meanwhile, according to The News, PCB has cleared that the second T20I will go ahead as planned and there is no change in schedule. However, the report further adds that the board has confirmed the news of a Pakistan support staff member testing positive for the virus.

COVID has largely taken a backseat for last few months with all teams doing away with the bio-secure bubbles. Perhaps, even if a player is tested positive for COVID-19, he/she is isolated while the rest of the players take the field with the opposition not having any objections. Interestingly, Australia's Tahlia McGrath played the final of Commonwealth Games earlier this year against even after testing positive for the virus. Hence, there shouldn't be any threat to England's historic tour to Pakistan.

Pakistan look to put up a better show

As for the second T20I, Pakistan will be keen on putting up a better show and level the series. Mohammad Rizwan, while speaking after the series opener, had backed the under-pressure middle order to come good just in time for the World Cup. "By the grace of God, I and the skipper [Babar Azam] are performing well for quite some time, leaving a little room for our middle order to display their batting acumen," Rizwan had said.

On the other hand, things have fallen in place for England despite missing some of their top players for this tour. Alex Hales, making his comeback to international cricket, struck a fine half-century helping his side chase down a tricky total of 159 runs.