|| CF DESK ||

Following a spate of Covid-19 cases among the visiting team, the three-match ODI series between Pakistan and the West Indies, which was set to begin on Saturday, has been postponed until July 2022.

The West Indies were infected with the virus on their first day in Pakistan, with three players and one member of the support staff testing positive. While it was not quite enough to put the trip on hold, the discovery of five more cases of Covid-19 on Thursday, the day of the third and final T20I between the two sides, took control of the issue.

The Pakistan Cricket Board and Cricket West Indies officials met each other to discuss the fate of the tour and though discussions proved fruitful enough to complete the T20I leg of the tour, the ODIs have been postponed.

"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 returned negative test result. As such, Thursday's T20 International (T20I) proceeded as planned,” a PCB release 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  Word Cup Super League, will be postponed and rescheduled for early June 2022.

"This 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.