Tag: Fawad Ahmed

  • ‘PSL 2021 to continue as per schedule’

    ‘PSL 2021 to continue as per schedule’

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) will go ahead as per schedule amid false reports that the league could be postponed for a few days due to an outbreak of COVID-19 in the Islamabad United camp. It also said that the stadiums will see 50 percent crowds until March 16.

    Director Media and Communications at PCB Samiul Hasan Burney announced the news at a press conference and revealed that three out of the 244 PCR tests conducted returned positive.

    Two of the three infected personnel were foreign players, including Islamabad United’s Fawad Ahmed, whose positive test was made public on Monday and led to the rescheduling of Islamabad, Quetta fixture.

    “We conducted 244 PCR tests, in addition to the rapid tests conducted,” said Burney. “Of the 244 tests, three have come back positive. Two foreign players and one support staff have tested positive.”

    While the identity of the other foreign player has not yet been disclosed, journalist Abdul Ghaffar has said that the third person is a member of the support staff.

    Meanwhile, sports journalists and analysts are urging the board and public not to panic, highlighting that such incidents are common in events of such scale.

  • Colleagues pray for Fawad Ahmed’s speedy recovery

    Colleagues pray for Fawad Ahmed’s speedy recovery

    Monday’s match between Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators was postponed after Australian legspinner Fawad Ahmed from United’s squad tested positive for coronavirus. While PCB clarified that the coronavirus test results of players from both squads came back negative, the match was postponed to “ensure players from both sides get time to prepare for the game.”

    Following the announcement, Ahmed requested everyone to remember him in their prayers and thanked them for their kind messages.

    Many colleagues, fans and noted people wished the Australian player a quick recover. Those who extended their prayers included Sarfaraz Ahmed, Azhar Mahmood, Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Nabi, Junaid Khan, Dr Nauman Niaz, Bilal Asif, Sawera Pasha, Muhammad Nawaz, Amir Yamin, Ahmed Shehzad, Sherfane Rutherford, Sandeep Lamichhane, Zafar Gohar and actor Asad Siddiqui.

    Meanwhile, after Fawad’s test came back positive, all other players were asked to remain at the hotel as their rapid coronavirus tests were conducted.

    In response to the development, Islamabad United confirmed that one of their players had tested positive, while all others players have been cleared to play.

    The team management clarified that “Fawad did not breach any Covid Protocols”. According to the PCB’s protocol, Ahmed will remain in isolation until he returns with two negative results in 10 days time.

  • Islamabad vs Quetta match delayed after player tests positive

    Islamabad vs Quetta match delayed after player tests positive

    Monday night’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) match between Islamabad United (IU) and Quetta Gladiators (QG) has been delayed after legspinner Fawad Ahmed tested positive for COVID-19.

    Ahmed had reportedly shown symptoms two days ago and had been immediately isolated, his franchise Islamabad United said in an official statement. Other members of Islamabad United have returned negative tests while the Quetta Gladiators players are being tested.

    In an announcement, PCB said: “A player from one of the sides featuring in this evening’s match has tested positive. The player had shown symptoms two days ago and had been immediately isolated.”

    “Members of his side have tested negative while the players of the other side are being tested,” the tweet added.

    PCB also later confirmed the match will start after some delay at ‘9 pm’.

    Later, the official account PSL and IU also tweeted and confirmed the news, writing: “One of our players, Fawad Ahmed tested positive for Covid and was immediately put in isolation 2 days ago. All other Islamabad United players & members have tested negative & have been cleared to play.”

    “We wish Fawad a speedy recovery. Sherus are ready to roar tonight,” the tweet added.

    The game, which scheduled to begin at 7 pm local time, has been pushed back to 9 pm.

    Fawad also took to Twitter and wrote: “Thanks for all the kind messages, please keep remember me in ur prayers, much needed raising hands IU and PSL, and please everyone stay safe.”

    PCB later announced that the match is rescheduled for Tuesday, March 2 at 7 pm. The match is rescheduled to ensure players from both sides get time to prepare for the game.

    The good news for the spectators who bought the tickets for tonight is that their tickets will be valid for tomorrow’s game as well.