Bismillah Khan, the Balochistan wicketkeeper-batsman, has tested positive for Covid-19 in Karachi. Khan had shown symptoms during the second round match against Southern Punjab in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy, but wasn’t tested until the fourth day, after which he was substituted on the field by Adnan Akmal. Khan is currently in a dedicated quarantine room in the hotel, and is being monitored by a doctor.
Khan’s positive test has put a cloud over the entire tournament, as all six teams were staying at the same hotel. Everyone involved in the tournament – players, coaches and match officials – will now undergo testing, with the results due in a few hours.
It is unclear as to how Khan might have contracted the virus. Before this round, nine Sindh players underwent Covid-19 tests after experiencing flu-like symptoms, but their results came back negative; only fast bowler Mir Hamza returned home after being declared unwell.
Professional cricket returned to Pakistan in September after a 24-week hiatus forced by the Covid-19 pandemic. The 2020-21 domestic season had kicked off with the National T20 Cup – played over two legs in Multan and then Rawalpindi – followed by the first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, held fully in Karachi.
In preparation for the tournament, the PCB first ensured each team quarantined separately at a different venue before they were allowed to enter the biosecure bubble in Karachi. All teams have been undergoing regular testing throughout the tournament to ensure the bubble remains safe.
The Covid-19 situation in Pakistan is nearly under control, with the country slowly returning to normalcy in recent weeks. While the government has been issuing daily alerts about a potential second wave of infections and appealing to the public to wear masks, only a few cities are observing a lockdown, as restaurants, educational institutes, marriage halls and public transportation continue to operate freely.