Pakistan vs West Indies: ODI series postponed to June 2022
What's the story
The three-match ODI series between Pakistan and West Indies, which was due to begin on Saturday, has been postponed to June 2022. A joint statement by Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the development after a series of COVID-19 positive cases had put the remaining tour in jeopardy. Five members of the touring party tested COVID-19 positive on Thursday.
Context
Why does it matter?
The remaining matches in the tour hung in balance after the recent wave of COVID-19 positive cases marred the WI camp. Notably, the total number of positive cases rose to nine on Thursday. Earlier this month, three players of the touring party, Sheldon Cottrell, Roston Chase, and Kyle Mayers, had returned positive results upon arrival in Pakistan. They were ruled out of the series.
Statement
The official statement from CWI and PCB
"Taking into consideration both the teams' welfare as well as limited resources in the West Indies side for the ODIs, it has been agreed that the series will be postponed and rescheduled for early June 2022," the joint statement read. "This will provide the West Indies with an equal opportunity to field their best available players for the World Cup qualification matches."
Members
Five members of WI's touring party tested COVID-19 positive
On Thursday, five more members of West Indies' touring party tested positive for COVID-19. The members include players Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, and Justin Greaves, assistant coach Roddy Estwick, and team physician Dr. Akshai Mansingh. CWI confirmed that all three players who tested positive will be unavailable for the remaining games. Further, all five members were placed into a 10-day quarantine.
Details
A look at the key details
As a part of PCB's COVID-19 protocols, 15 other players and six members of WI's touring party underwent the Rapid Antigen Tests on Thursday. All members returned negative tests. Hence, the third T20I went ahead as scheduled. However, the three-match ODI series got postponed as the visitors were left with 14 players. A finger injury had ruled Devon Thomas out of the T20I series.
Developments
WI's touring party will leave following the 3rd T20I
The members of WI's touring party (players and support staff members) will leave after the conclusion of the third T20I. On the other hand, Pakistan's players will stay in isolation in Karachi. They are likely to return to their families for Christmas. All Pakistan players had tested negative for COVID-19. They will be leaving the bio-bubble following the third T20I.