Big blow for the millions of fans who were waiting anxiously for the 1st Test match between Pakistan and England as 14 members of England’s touring team have fallen ill due to a virus.
Yes, you read that right. Ahead of the much-awaited 1st Test match between England and Pakistan, over a dozen members of the Ben Stokes’ side are said to be down as a result of a virus. The members who are infected by the virus include England’s Test captain Ben Stokes – who was expected to feature in his first Test in Pakistan on December 1.
This news has come as a big blow for all the fans, who were anxiously waiting for the Test series to begin. Notably, England will be playing a Test series in Pakistan after a long gap of 17 years. England last played a Test match on Pakistan soil in the year 2005, which they lost by 2-0. However, England played a seven-match T20I series in the country here in September-October, which they won by 4-3.
As per the latest updates, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Keaton Jennings, Ollie Pope, and Joe Root are some of the English cricketers who are said to be fit to play the 1st Test on December 1. It is still unknown what kind of virus it is. According to a report by dailymail.co.uk, while the England team has their own chef for the tour, the virus is said to be not connected with either food or COVID.
Recently, it was confirmed that Liam Livingstone would make his Test debut for the England cricket team in the 1st Test match against Pakistan. Livingstone is the second English player to make his Test debut in the 1st Test, along with Ben Duckett, who is expected to open the innings with Zak Crawley.
There is no update yet on the fate of the first Test. However, on Wednesday, the England cricket team announced its playing XI for the 1st Test match.
England XI for the first Test vs Pakistan: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Liam Livingstone, Jack Leach, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson.
Later, in the day England Cricket Board via their official Twitter handle revealed that they are in discussion with the PCB regarding the start of 1st Test because of a viral infection in their camp. England Cricket wrote: “We are in discussions with the PCB regarding the start of the first Test due to a viral infection within our camp.”
We are in discussions with the PCB regarding the start of the first Test due to a viral infection within our camp.#PAKvENG https://t.co/EeHAN4jU63
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 30, 2022
Meanwhile, fans on social media are trolling PCB left, right, and center after the report of England players getting infected by a viral infection came out. Check out the reactions of fans:
Pakistan is the safest country in the world & their hospitality is…. 🤭😆😂🤣
— @bikashchouhan (@bikashchouhan12) November 30, 2022
Great start by Pakistan as host
— Manish Thakur (@manisharjun77) November 30, 2022
They are flying✈️ back.
— cric guru (@bccicc) November 30, 2022
be ghairto koi 1 yes koi 1 series aesi khelo jismay masla na ho tum logo ko
— Arif Khan (@King___Babar56) November 30, 2022
Great start by Pakistan as host
— Manish Thakur (@manisharjun77) November 30, 2022
