Pakistan tour of England is "a big risk", PCB medical director says

Dr Sohail Saleem, the PCB director of medical and sports sciences, voiced his concern about the three-Test and three-T20I trip on Monday, qualifying his comments by saying the sight of live cricket will help ease a sense of anxiety back home

A senior medical figure in the PCB set-up has said Pakistan's upcoming tour of England is a "big risk".

Dr Sohail Saleem, the PCB director of medical and sports sciences, voiced his concern about the three-Test and three-T20I trip on Monday, qualifying his comments by saying the sight of live cricket will help ease the sense of anxiety both in Pakistan and the UK.

“During the pandemic it (the tour) is a big risk,” Saleem said during a video conference with journalists, as reported by AP.

“We haven’t experienced (playing during a pandemic), but for both teams it will be a first. The pandemic means risk, but consider them (players) as ... providing people entertainment.

“The anxiety level of people sitting at home is rising, but cricket can be seen as lowering these.”

Pakistan are due to arrive in England in early July, prior to a period of quarantine - as outlined by current government legislation.

Saleem highlighted the protocol of testing which the PCB will stick to, in an effort to prevent transmission of Covid-19 through the 29-man squad and the support staff.

“After every 5-7 days we will be carrying out testing of the players in the UK,” Saleem said.

“Three days before the start of the first test another round of testing of all the players will be done and if a player tests positive, he will be quarantined. We have set the protocol with the England and Wales Cricket Board.”

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