In wake of a vicious attack on the team bus of a touring Sri Lanka team, in Lahore, in 2009, the country had been blacklisted as a destination for international cricket. As a result of opponents refusing to visit Pakistan, the country was forced to use the UAE as a home venue for a decade.
A thaw in relations began five years ago, with teams like Zimbabwe, West Indies, and Sri Lanka among the first to tour the once shunned country. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ehsan Mani has, however, claimed that often came at a heavy price. Mani claimed that prior to him taking charge, in 2018, the board had paid a whopping extra US$25,000 per player to Windies players for a series in Pakistan. A weakened West Indies team played three T20 international matches in April 2018. The PCB board boss claimed another team was given $USD 15,000 per player. Mani insisted things were now back to normal.
“This PCB regime has not paid anything extra to any player for playing in Pakistan,” told Pakistan news publication Dawn.
“Pakistan hosted Sri Lanka and other teams which was a big boost for Pakistan cricket.”
Shai Hope, Justin Greaves and Akeal Hosein were the players who tested positive along with assistant coach Roddy Estwick and team physician Dr Akshai Mansingh. These latest infections come on the heels of Kyle Mayers, Roston Chase and Sheldon Cottrell testing positive just prior to the start of the tour.
All will remain in isolation until they produce negative tests.
It is against this background, that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) have issued a joint statement announcing the postponement of the three ODIs scheduled.
“On Thursday morning and as part of the PCB COVID-19 Protocols, Rapid Antigen tests were conducted on the remaining 15 West Indies players and six-player support personnel. All 21 members of the West Indies touring party have returned negative test results. As such, Thursday’s T20 International (T20I) proceeded as planned,” the statement said.
However, taking into consideration both the teams’ welfare as well as limited resources in the West Indies side for the ODIs, it has been agreed that the series, which forms part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, will be postponed and rescheduled for early June 2022.”
This, they said, will provide the West Indies with an equal opportunity to field their best available players for the World Cup qualification matches.
The West Indies team members, who returned negative results following Wednesday’s PCR and today’s Rapid Antigen tests, will depart from Pakistan after tonight’s match. Those who have tested positive will complete their isolation in Karachi before their travel arrangements are finalised to allow them to rejoin their families in time for Christmas celebrations.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan team members, all of whom have returned PCR negative after Wednesday’s tests, will also be leaving the Managed Event Environment after tonight’s third
