Star Pakistan cricketers Mohammad Amir and Haris Sohail have pulled themselves out of the upcoming tour of England. The Men in Greens will tour of England for three Tests and the same number of T20Is to start in August as cricket looks to resume after COVID-19 pandemic.
Pakistan cricketers will arrive much before the scheduled start of the series. They will complete the mandatory quarantine period for all foreigners coming to the UK. That means the side will spend over two months in England. The touring party will form a “bubble” where they will not interact with anyone outside of the group. Also, the cricketers will undergo COVID-19 tests on a regular basis.
Amir, Sohail pull out of England tour
Meanwhile, all the matches will take place behind closed doors. Recently, ICC had approved the use of substitutes if a player showed symptoms of Covid-19 during a Test match. Also, the players will not be able to travel with their families in these difficult times. This has likely played a part in Haris Sohail pulling himself out of the tour.
The batsman has been reluctant to tour without his family. Pakistan Cricket Board granted him special permission during the World Cup last year. However, considering the current scenario no special arrangement cannot be made. On the other hand, Mohammad Amir pulled out so that he could be present for the birth of his second child in August.
PCB will announce the names of a 42-man squad including 14 support staffs who will travel to England. Pakistan will be the second team after West Indies to tour England since the Covid-19 pandemic. The Caribbeans will play three Tests starting from 8th July.
