Haris Rauf finally tests negative for Covid-19, set to fly to England

Haris Rauf, who had first tested positive for Covid-19 over a month ago, has returned two consecutive negative tests. It makes him eligible to join the Pakistan team in England will be flying out on Friday morning.

He had undergone six Covid-19 tests until July 20, out of which five were positive. There was one negative result, but according to regulations he needed to provide successive negative results to be considered eligible to travel to join the Pakistan squad. He remained asymptomatic the entire time.

While Rauf was struggling to clear his test, chief selector and head coach Misbah ul Haq called up Mohammad Amir back. Amir had earlier pulled out of the tour due to a clash with the expected dates of the birth of his child, but made himself available after his wife gave birth earlier this month. But Amir's presence with the side does not sideline Rauf, who remains part of the PCB's plans for the T20I series.

Can't thank enough Allah for the blessings He bestowed upon me during my tough times & fight against the epidemic COVID-19.
الحمدلله tested negative and feeling absolutely fine and well. Thank you everyone who extended their prayers & well wishes.

— Haris Rauf (@HarisRauf14) July 30, 2020

He was among the ten players who tested positive for Covid-19 in the last week of June, but stayed back after the larger group flew out to Manchester on a chartered flight on June 28. The 18 players who tested negative, alongside the support staff who were tested, were the only ones to board the plane.

Rauf was originally picked for white-ball cricket, but he had expressed an ambition to play Tests. His chance to do that in England during this series was hampered by repeated positive results for Covid-19 that didn't allow him to join the squad in time. The Pakistan management have already named a 20-man Test squad which Rauf is not a part of. He is, however, a part of the T20 set-up, with the first T20I scheduled for August 28 in Manchester.