Fans bash Pakistan players for not wearing masks or maintaining social distancing during Eid al-Adha celebrations

To flag off their international journey amid COVID-19 pandemic, Pakistan are slated to play three Tests and as many T20Is on the English soil. The three-Test series between England and Pakistan is scheduled to start at Manchester from August 5th.

Considering the COVID-19 situation across the globe, players of both sides will be seen following the interim ICC regulations. Moreover, they’ll have to stay in a bio-secure environment during the course of the series. The Men in Green drew their 2016 Test series 2-2 and 1-1 in 2018. Following the Test series, Pakistan will play three T20Is at Old Trafford starting August 28 with Babar Azam at the helm of the limited-overs squad.

Pakistan Cricket’s Twitter handle shared several photos of their players

Pakistan, equipped with a robust but inexperienced pace attack, will be aiming to make full use of the English conditions. However, the ICC ban is expected to serve as a roadblock for Pakistan as well as England pacers. Furthermore, there will be no crowd support as the series will be played behind closed doors without spectators.

Ahead of the much-awaited series, Pakistan’s national cricket team, on Friday, celebrated Eid al-Adha in England and their photos started doing rounds on social media in no time. Pakistan Cricket’s Twitter handle shared several photos of their players celebrating the occasion.

However, none of the players or staff were seen wearing masks or maintaining distance as seen in the photos. The photos received mixed reactions. While some fans extended wishes to the players, some bashed them for not maintaining social distance amid the pandemic. Pakistan might have been given exemption as they’ve been living in a bio-secure bubble since landing in England. All players were also tested for COVID-19 upon their arrival in the country.

The pandemic has disrupted lives of lakhs of individuals across the globe along with affecting the economic situation. Many religious traditions and festivals are being celebrated with limitations due to a surge in coronavirus cases across the globe.

To mark the start of the Eid al-Adha holiday, Twitter was flooded with wishes and celebratory photos on the special occasion. A small group of pilgrims performed one of the final rites of the Islamic hajj on Friday.

Here are some of the tweets: