|| Desk Report ||

In the wake of soaring fear of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has canceled a routine training camp for its players ahead of a tour of England next month.

The touring side is scheduled to play a three-match Test series and as many T20 Internationals during their nearly two-month stay in the United Kingdom (UK).

The cases of coronavirus endemic have soared in recent weeks with Pakistan recording more than 100,000 cases of coronavirus, as hospitals warned they are running out of beds to treat the heavy load of the patients.

“Taking into account the Covid-19 outlook in Pakistan in the coming weeks, (due to) the operational and logistical matters the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided not to hold a training camp for the national team,” PCB announced.

The country’s cricket board said it remains in touch with the host England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and was looking into leaving earlier for the tour.

“The PCB is already in discussion with the ECB to bring forward their early July departure date for England so the Pakistan squad can benefit from the additional practice time there,” said the PCB.

Once in the United Kingdom (UK), the Pakistan team will enter quarantine and be closely monitored to prevent the squad from being exposed to the coronavirus endemic. The team is scheduled to spend nearly a month in the country before playing the first of three Tests in Manchester from August 5.