Although the Pakistan cricket team was getting ready to host the first Test series between the two countries since 2005, some members of the visiting English team fell unwell the day before the series was set to begin, casting uncertainty on whether or not the series would even begin on time. The Cricket Boards of both Pakistan and England have issued statements on the matter.
The PCB and the ECB have confirmed that the first test may not begin on the originally scheduled date.
A number of England players have been struck down by a viral virus, and as a result, the PCB and the ECB have issued a joint statement confirming that the first Test may be postponed. ESPN Cricinfo reports that England players have been diagnosed with a stomach sickness that has resulted in diarrhoea and vomiting, yet neither cricketing board has released any information regarding the disease.
This is not a food-borne or COVID-19-related sickness, former England captain Joe Root has stated. “We rule out Covid and dietary causes. We’re crossing our fingers that this is a one-day glitch that will clear up by tomorrow “Root told BBC Sport about his reasoning in an interview.
The 31-year-old believes that the England team can fully recover in one day, hence the first Test between England and Pakistan may be postponed by one day. “It’s a historic tour and crucial series for a number of reasons. We have been trying to play a Test match in Pakistan for 17 years. Do you really think that waiting one more day is the worst thing that could happen? We’re all eager to get on the field, and we recognise the stakes for Pakistani sports fans and their team “adverbial Root was added.
It has been suggested that Root may lead England in the first Test against Pakistan if regular captain Ben Stokes is unable to play due to an injury. Root was asked the same question and said, “That doesn’t seem likely to me. Popey filled in for the team last week and performed admirably in the exhibition game. In the long run, the strategy may be best for the group.”