Haris Rauf has tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the first test against Australia.© Twitter
Pakistani fast bowler Haris Rauf has tested positive for COVID-19, leaving him doubtful of making his Test debut against Australia in the opening game of the three-match series, which starts in Rawalpindi on March 4. Rauf is currently in isolation. Rauf was tipped to make his Test debut as the national selectors had only three pacesetters in Pakistan’s squad for the first match, including Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Wasim junior, who is also yet to play a Test for Pakistan .
“Haris has tested positive and has gone into isolation and with the test in just three days it seems highly unlikely he will be available for the first test from March 4,” said a team official.
With Rauf a dubious starter, there are indications that team management could call in young fast bowler Naseem Shah, who is one of two traveling reserves with the squad. Wicket-keeper batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed is the other reserve.
The touring Australian squad had its first practice session at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday amid extremely tight security measures and roads around the site were closed to the public.
A full house is expected on the first day of the first Test after the government allowed 100 percent capacity for the three Tests in Rawalpindi, Karachi and Lahore on Tuesday.
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The National Command and Control Center for COVID-19 has announced that all vaccinated individuals, including children as young as 12, can attend the games, while children under 12 may be unvaccinated.
The government had also recently authorized 100 percent participation in the final stages of Pakistan’s Super League in Lahore.
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