WI vs PAK: Three West Indies Cricketers Test Positive For COVID-19

West Indies all-rounders Roston Chase, Left-arm pacer Sheldon Cotrell, and Kyle Mayers have been pulled out of the team ahead of the T20I series against Pakistan after testing positive for COVID-19 upon their arrival in Karachi on December 9. 

Besides the trio, a non-coaching staff of the guest team management also tested positive, Cricket West Indies stated in a statement. 

All the four positive persons, who were completely vaccinated and are with no symptoms, will now experience a term of self-isolation for 10 days, after which they will also be tested. 

CEO of Cricket West Indies Johnny Grave states the remains of the touring team are practicing for the series nevertheless the setback.

“These were confirmed whilst the players and staff were still in room isolation, so despite this significant setback to our preparation plans, we are confident that the tour can continue as everyone else returned negative PCRs prior to their arrival into Pakistan and two negative PCRs since they have been in Karachi.

“The risk of COVID-19 infection is impossible to remove completely from a cricket tour, in spite of the fact that many of our players have been living in bio-secure bubbles almost continuously since before the CPL (Caribbean Premier League). This unusual loss of three players from our squad will seriously impact our team preparations, but the rest of the squad are in good spirits and will begin training today ahead of our first game on Monday.”

On Monday, December 13 the series of three-match T20I will begin and will be played at the Karachi National Stadium.