Pakistan cricket squad in UK test negative for coronavirus

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“Pakistan cricketers Sarfaraz Ahmed (left) and Asad Shafiq. ©AFP” /> London (AFP) – All 20 players and 11 management personnel in the Pakistan touring party have tested negative for coronavirus since arriving in Britain, the England and Wales Cricket Board said Tuesday. The ECB added that England’s latest round of tests, for their training group and management conducted on Monday had also yielded a complete set of negative results. England players and staff have now had three COVID-19 tests. The ECB’s announcement followed a statement from Pakistan that six more…

Pakistan bowler Irfan confirms he is ‘well’ after rumours of death

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“Irfan (L) is the tallest man to play international cricket. ©AFP” /> Islamabad (AFP) – Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Irfan had to confirm that rumours of his death spreading on social media were “fake news” on Sunday. The 38-year-old, known for being the tallest person to play first-class cricket at 7ft 1in (2.16 m), said false reports saying he had been in a car accident were “baseless”. “Some social media outlets have been spreading a baseless fake news about my death in a car accident,” Irfan wrote on Twitter. “This…

Pakistan’s Misbah says no strings attached to England tour

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“No expectation of return England visit – Pakistan chief selector and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq. ©AFP” London (AFP) – Head coach Misbah-ul-Haq is adamant Pakistan’s upcoming tour of England amid the coronavirus pandemic is not dependent upon a return visit. Next month international cricket is set to resume for the first time since the outbreak as England host the West Indies in a three-Test series staged behind closed doors. Pakistan are also meant to play three Tests, as well as three Twenty20s, in a series scheduled to start on August 5,…

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi contracts virus

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“Shahid Afridi distributed food during Pakistan’s coronavirus lock down has caught the virus. ©AFP” /> Karachi (AFP) – Pakistan’s well-loved former ]]> <![CDATA[ cricket captain Shahid Afrid said on Saturday he had tested positive for coronavirus, as the pandemic accelerates across the country. The 40-year-old all-rounder, known for towering sixes and distinctive celebrations after taking a wicket as a bowler, revealed his illness on Twitter. “I’ve been feeling unwell since Thursday; my body had been aching badly.I’ve been tested and unfortunately I’m covid positive,” Afridi said. “Need prayers for a…

A decade after Lord’s scandal, match-fixing still haunts Pakistan cricket

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“Mohammad Amir was one of three players jailed over the spot-fixing scandal. ©AFP” /> Karachi (AFP) – When Mohammad Amir bowled a no-ball against England on the opening day of the 2010 Test at Lord’s, no one could have imagined his long stride past the crease marked the first step in a historic fixing scandal. Two days later it was revealed that three no-balls — two by Amir, and one by his pace partner Mohammad Asif — had been part of a shady betting deal. Pakistan’s captain Salman Butt had…

Pakistan fast bowlers Amir, Riaz lose central contracts

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“Pakistan paceman Mohammad Amir has lost his central contract. ©AFP” /> Karachi (AFP) – Pakistan fast bowlers Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz have lost their central contracts after the pair decided to focus on white-ball cricket, officials said Wednesday, as selectors promote younger pacemen. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also confirmed Azhar Ali as Test captain and Babar Azam as one-day and Twenty20 captain for the upcoming season starting in July. Eighteen players in three categories received central contracts guaranteeing their monthly salaries and benefits for 12 months. The exclusion…

Pakistan’s Akhtar says would coach any nation — even arch-rivals India

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“Akhtar was known as the Rawalpindi Express in his playing days. ©AFP” /> New Delhi (AFP) – Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar said he is ready to coach fast bowlers from any country — even if an offer from arch-rivals India came his way. In an interview with a social networking platform, the 44-year-old paceman said he wants to help produce aggressive and fast bowlers who can take on opposition batsmen no matter which country they come from. When the presenter for the Helo app said India, Akhtar replied: “I…