Haris Rauf to join Pakistan squad after negative COVID-19 tests
Pakistani cricketer Haris Rauf is all set to join the national team after two successive negative COVID-19 reports. Rauf will fly to England and join the Pakistan squad ahead of the limited-overs series against the hosts. The development comes after Rauf met the eligibility criteria. The T20I series is set to start on August 28 in Manchester. Here's more.
Rauf was earlier ineligible to travel after testing positive
Rauf was among a total of 10 players and support staff, who had tested positive over a month ago at Pakistan's training camp just before the team was due to fly to England. Notably, five of Rauf's six COVID-19 tests until July 20 returned positive. That made him ineligible for travel as the regulations needed two successive negative reports.
Rauf's replacement Mohammad Amir had returned two negative COVID-19 tests
Recently, fast bowler Mohammad Amir returned two negative COVID-19 tests and got cleared to join the national side in England. The PCB made arrangements to send Amir and masseur Muhammad Imran to England. The left-arm bowler had earlier withdrawn from the tour to be with his wife for the birth of their second child. However, he announced his decision to re-join the side
Rauf is a part of Pakistan's plans for T20Is
Rauf will fly out later this week as he remains a part of Pakistan's plans for the T20I series. Rauf had initially only been picked for the limited-overs and despite expressing his wish to play Tests, the player missed the cut due to his COVID-19 status. Rauf will join the team for the T20I series and would want to impress the management.
Pakistan shortlist 20-player squad for Test series
Earlier, the PCB named the 20 players who will be considered for selection for the three-match Test series. Pakistan Squad: Azhar Ali (c), Babar Azam (vc), Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Imam ul haq, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah.
