Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of Quetta Gladiators’ first clash in Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 against Peshawar Zalmi at National Stadium, Karachi on January 28. Afridi is the first player in PSL 2022 to test positive for the virus.
This is the second time Afridi has contracted the virus. The last time he was affected by the virus was in 2020 during the first wave. However, this time he does not have any symptoms.
“I have unfortunately tested positive but have no symptoms at all. InshALLAH hope to recover soon, test negative and rejoin QG as soon as possible. Good luck to all teams in #HBLPSL7 I'm committed to giving it my all in my last PSL edition,” Afridi tweeted on January 27.
Afridi has been given permission to isolate for a week at his home instead of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) designated area for the infected individuals. He is set to miss at least first four games of Gladiators in the Karachi leg of PSL. Earlier the 41-year-old was set to miss first two matches of the Sarfaraz Ahmed-led side as he experienced sprain in his back during practice session.
The spin all-rounder will be able to rejoin the PSL bubble after seven days in isolation with a negative RT-PCR result.
As per PCB protocols, any individual who has come in contact with the infected for 15 minutes or more within a distance of two metres in the last 48 hours will be isolated as well. The franchise is yet to reveal any names (players or support staff) who have been isolated after coming in close contact with Afridi.
Ahead of the seventh edition of PSL, the PCB also issued new guidelines which will ensure that the matches go ahead as far as the franchise has 13 fit players out of the squad to play a match.
The T20 league kicked off on January 27 with defending champions Multan Sultans registering a comprehensive win over Babar Azam’s Karachi Kings.
