Two of Pakistan’s cricketers, Mohammad Amir and Haris Sohail will not play when their country goes to England on Tour. Pakistan is expected to play three Tests and three international games in England between August and September.

Plans are yet to be finalised and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said they would roll out the schedule in due time. This is the first time the board would be confirming the fixture.

Amir, who retired from Tests last year, had to pull out to witness the birth of his second child which would be around the month of August. He may have taken part in the T20i series but for that fact. Sohail had to withdraw due to personal reasons.

These personal reasons may not be unconnected from the measures and protocols that would be observed throughout the tour, which would include not having him bring his family along with him. The PCB would be sending 28 players and 14 supporting personnel to England. This is excluding bowler Amir and batsman Sohail.

The visit would take place right after the West Indies tour, which is supposed to end in July. It would be the second series to be played in England after the return of Cricket. The situation here is also similar to the one in West Indies where three players pulled out citing health reasons.

The series would also follow similar health measures like the one put in place for the West Indies fixture, which would see them residing in a bubble and arriving weeks ahead so as to observe the mandatory quarantine period, not to forget the compulsory tests throughout the series.

The games would be played without fans around the venue. The ICC has also approved the use of substitutes in the case where a player shows symptoms of the virus.

Written by: Leon Osamor