It's crisis time for the West Indies as things aren’t getting any better for them on their tour to Pakistan. After three members of the squad had tested positive for Covid-19 earlier, five more members have now been added to the list. The news was confirmed by the West Indies Cricket board on their social media handle as they are already trailing 2-0 in the three-match T20I series.
As per the latest round of RT-PCR results go, three players have tested positive along with two members of staff to make the situation worse within the camp. Wicketkeeper-batter Shai Hope, left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein and all-rounder Justin Greaves have all tested positive for Covid-19. Fellow coaching staff members that include assistant coach Roddy Estwick and Team Physician Dr. Akshai Mansingh also returned with positive results in the latest round of tests carried out by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
This comes as a huge blow for the West Indies as they needed a full-strength squad to salvage something from the T20I series. Nicholas Pooran-led side had given a good account of themselves in the second T20I but felt short of the total by nine runs while chasing 173. It is yet to be seen whether West Indies will be able to field a side for the third and final T20I at National Stadium, Karachi.
The future of the tour is also in limbo as a total of six West Indies players have been ruled out of the tour due to Covid-19 related and injury issues. Earlier Devon Thomas was ruled out due to a finger injury which he sustained in the first T20I. The PCB and Cricket West Indies (CWI) will have a meeting on Thursday to determine the future of the tour. Apart from the T20I match remaining, a three-match ODI series will also take place between the two nations starting from December 18 at the same venue.
The situation isn’t getting better on the international front, Australian captain Pat Cummins was also ruled out of the Adelaide Test after coming in contact with a positive Covid-19 case. While there have been postponements in football tournaments like the English Premier League (EPL), Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspurs both had their clashes postponed after the Covid-19 outbreak at their training centers.
