PSL 2022: Wasim Akram, Wahab Riaz, and Haider Ali test positive for Covid-19

Karachi Kings’s President Wasim Akram alongside Wahab Riaz and Haider Ali from the Peshawar Zalmi have all tested positive for Covid-19 and are under isolation. Wahab’s experience in the format will be missed for the first few games while Haider is one of the upcoming talents from the country.  PCB had earlier confirmed that three cricketers and five members of the support staff from different franchises had contracted the virus four days back and they will be allowed back into the squad only after complete isolation and returning negative PCR Tests.

Kamran Akmal and Arshad Iqbal of Peshawar Zalmi had tested positive recently for COVID-19 and the number has gone up to four in the same Peshawar camp. The tournament is scheduled to start on the 27th of January with the Karachi Kings taking on the Multan Sultans at the National stadium. PCB director Ramiz Raja had already initiated measures for any emergency situations and he has imposed agreements with the franchises as well.

PSL players to undergo Covid-19 tests continuously

The players who will be taking part in the PSL 2022 have already gone under quarantine and they will have to return three negative PCR Tests before they get on the field. As per Naseer, who is the PSL director, over 250 Tests have been conducted already since the 20th of January in which 3 players and 5 support staff have tested positive for Covid-19.

“As per latest results received, in over 250 tests conducted since Thursday, three players and five support staff members have tested positive and have been isolated,” PCB’s Chief Operating Officer (CCO) Salman Naseer told in a statement

Ramiz had noted matches will undergo if 13 COVID-19 players are on both sides which means that a team can have a maximum of nine Covid-19 positive players. Also, a separate pool of 15-20 players have been created who have not been picked up in the drafts and they will be available to replace a player who is hit with Covid-19. The tournament can go into a pause of 10 days if there is an outbreak of Covid-19 cases and will resume with a lot of doubleheaders.