ISLAMABAD: The final decision to commence the opening Test of the historic three-match series between Pakistan and England has been delayed till tomorrow morning, confirmed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday.
The fate of the Rawalpindi Test, which is set to kick off on Thursday, will now be decided at 7:30 AM after taking into account England players’ recovery from the illness.
In case the England players are not found fit enough to take the field on Thursday, then the opening day of the first Test will be shifted to Friday and it will continue for the full five days.
The decision was taken after a high-profile meeting between the members of the PCB and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) held on Wednesday to discuss the outbreak of viral infection in the England men’s Test team camp.
“The two boards made the decision based on medical advice from the England doctors, which revolved around the players’ health and welfare, agreeing that the England cricket team are able to select an XI for the first of the three ICC World Test Championship matches, which will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.” read PCB media release issued after the meeting.
“The two boards also agreed, subject to the England players not recovering well enough to take the field on Thursday morning, then the Test will commence on Friday and will be a five-day match. In this scenario, the schedule of the second Test in Multan and the third Test in Karachi will remain unaffected and will be played as per original schedule i.e. 9-13 and 17-21 December, respectively.” it added.
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