England keep fingers crossed for Pakistan tour go-ahead

The initial batch of tests went ahead in Rawalpindi on Sunday, with uncapped teenager Haider Ali, pace bowler Haris Rauf and all-rounder Shadab Khan all found to be carrying the virus while showing no symptoms.

The trio are now self-isolating and will not be part of the group which departs Lahore for Manchester on June 28, but could still join at a later date.

“It is a concern, and obviously I’m most concerned about those players who tested positive and concerned about their welfare,” said Giles.

“At the moment, I don’t think the series is in doubt. We are far enough away from the start of the Test series (July 30) to not worry about that too much at the moment.

“There are some more test results coming out later from the rest of the group so we will see what that says, but we are still hopeful that the Pakistan team will be arriving in the country fairly soon.”

Infection rates in Pakistan have risen sharply recently, but the Pakistan Cricket Board will be hoping for better news from the further 23 players and a number of support staff who were tested on Monday.

Giles declined to say at what point the England and Wales Cricket Board could become concerned about the viability of the Pakistan series, adding: “There are a number of hurdles to cross. We are waiting on those other test results.

“We still are far enough out, even if a number of those results were still positive, but this is the difference with international sport.

“We are hopeful that if we can get international sport on, it will be a real fillip for many people around the world.

“We need to get our opposition in the country. Anything that puts that at risk or in danger is clearly a problem.

“It’s such a far-reaching issue, a global issue that is affecting everyone – far more important things going on than sport. We are hopeful that if we can get international sport on, it will be a real fillip for many people around the world.”

Ahead of Pakistan’s visit, England are scheduled to play three Tests against the West Indies, starting at the Ageas Bowl on July 8 in what will be the first international Test fixture played since the coronavirus outbreak.

Australia captain Tim Paine says he will be “fascinated” to see how that series plays out as a potential blueprint for cricket post-Covid.

Speaking via Zoom conference call, Paine said he would be excited to gain a glimpse at what the short-term future of Test cricket might look like. “Certainly, it’s going to be different,” he said.

“I’m fascinated like anyone is to watch some Test cricket again and to see exactly how the West Indies-England series is going to work and the different things they’re going to be doing that haven’t been done before in cricket.”

Ahead of their own series against India at home in December, Paine added: “For someone like me and Justin (Langer, coach)and the Australian international players, it’s something we’re going to watch really closely. But I’ve found the key thing is being able to adapt and the best teams will do that, whatever’s thrown at them.”

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