Mohammad Amir returns two negative COVID-19 tests
What's the story
Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has returned two negative COVID-19 tests and is cleared to join the national side in England. The Pakistan Cricket Board will make arrangements to send Amir and masseur Muhammad Imran to England. The duo will join Pakistan's training camp in Derbyshire. Pakistan are set to play three Tests and the same number of T20Is against England.
Amir
Amir had earlier decided to withdraw from the tour
On Monday, the PCB confirmed that Amir will be available for the England series. The left-arm bowler had earlier withdrawn from the tour to be with his wife for the birth of their second child. However, Amir announced his decision to re-join the side after the birth of his daughter last week.
Departure
Amir and Imran to depart for England this weekend
The PCB had stated that both Amir and Imran would be requiring two negative COVID-19 tests to be eligible to travel. After the first negative test, the duo moved to a bio-secure environment in Lahore where the second tests were conducted on Wednesday. They are now expected to depart for England this weekend.
Malik
Shoaib Malik's departure gets delayed
Meanwhile, the departure of Shoaib Malik to England was delayed until the second week of August after India extended the ban on international flights until July 31. A release from PCB added that Malik will join the squad for the T20I series, which starts on August 28 in Manchester. Once he joins, the management will release a player.
Replacement
Amir set to replace Haris Rauf
Amir is set to replace Haris Rauf in the squad. The latter has tested positive for coronavirus five out of six times. "Very unfortunate with Harris Rauf. He has been with the squad and we are waiting for him to recover, but unfortunately he has been repeatedly tested positive," Misbah-ul-Haq said. Pakistan will travel to Manchester on August 1 ahead of the first Test.