Misbah, who is asymptomatic, will now remain in quarantine in Jamaica for 10 days and will be allowed to return to Pakistan upon clearing subsequent Covid tests.
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Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq has tested positive for COVID and will now undergo a 10-day quarantine, following which he will depart from West Indies. Misbah was expected to leave for Lahore with the national team on Wednesday. However, the head coach was the only Pakistan squad member who failed two pre-departure PCR tests, resulting in other members leaving Jamaica as per schedule. Cricket West Indies have confirmed that Misbah will be shifted to another hotel for the 10-day quarantine. A medical specialist has been assigned to look after his health and wellbeing.
Pakistan’s recently concluded tour of the West Indies comprised of two Tests and four T20Is respectively. Pakistan emerged victorious in the only T20I held, with the nation further recording a win in one of the two Test matches conducted. The performance of Fawad Alam in the middle order will certainly be a major positive, considering the concerns in that department as discussed by Misbah recently. The Pakistan head coach had interacted through a virtual press conference, after the nation suffered a 2-1 defeat against England in a recent T20I series.
“We still have the same problems, that our middle order isn’t performing the way our top order is. We know 8-9 players of our playing XI as well as their replacements. Have to view every game as important and improve our performance. England were a top team in difficult conditions, but we have to look at a roadmap for improvement. Of course, losses shatter your confidence, and we just have to try and build it back.”
“The results before the England series were much improved, we won 3 series in a row. [Mohammad] Hafeez has not been doing as well as he did last year, and other middle-order players are struggling. Overall, the team is better but if these two aspects of our game improve, then we’d be in a much better position. The importance of three-dimensional players and the lower middle order is very important. Players like Hasan Ali and Shadab (Khan) and their performances are crucial, but the link with the middle order needs to be stronger.”
Misbah had further defended the selection of Azam Khan, stating that it was too early to judge his performances.
“Azam only really had one innings, so it’s very early to say anything about him. When he plays more, things will become clearer. Whichever player bats at that position needs to score quick runs. When you play at number six your average might not be very high, so you can’t judge on one game. But it’s true, we didn’t bowl as well in England as we did in South Africa or at home. There have been some huge overs we’ve allowed which has had an impact on results.”
Pakistan are now scheduled to host New Zealand for three ODIs (in Rawalpindi) and five T20Is (in Lahore) from September 17. The Black Caps will be travelling to Pakistan following the conclusion of their tour of Bangladesh, for the first time in nearly 18 years.
