New journey with PCB as batting coach begins: Younis Khan

Amidst all the confusion about the COVID-19 testing, the Pakistan players, on Sunday, embarked on their England tour in a chartered flight. The 20-man reworked squad and 11 support staff personnel left for the UK. Pakistan are scheduled to play three Tests and as many T20Is on the tour, the dates of which are yet to be finalised. Younis Khan is also the part of the touring squad and will work as the batting coach of the team in England.

10 players who were tested positive for the Coronavirus earlier this week didn’t travel with the team for now. Interestingly, six of them –  Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Hasnain tested negative recently. However, they will have to take the test again in the next week and if tested negative again, then the PCB will make arrangements for them to reach England.

Coming back to Younis Khan who retired from international cricket in 2015 has rejoined the team and will work with the head coach Misbah-ul-Haq. Before leaving to the UK, in the wee hours of Sunday, he took to Twitter to express his happiness of working with the team again and termed it as a new journey. He also requested the fans to pray for their well being as COVID fear continues to loom over the world.

“The new journey with as a batting coach begins tomorrow as we look to depart for England. Keep us in your prayers during these testing times,” his tweet read.

Here’s his tweet:

The new journey with @TheRealPCB as a batting coach begins tomorrow as we look to depart for England. Keep us in your prayers during these testing times. pic.twitter.com/pBLE1uaT8g

— Younus Khan (@YounusK75) June 27, 2020

Pakistan team to be in quarantine in Worcestershire

Meanwhile, the 20-man squad which left for England on Sunday, will reach Manchester soon and then drive to Worcestershire where they will be quarantined for 14 days. At the same time, they will train in a bio-secure environment before moving to Derbyshire on July 13. They are also expected to play a couple of warm-up matches before the Test series begins.

The ECB is yet to chalk out the schedule for the series. Currently their focus is on hosting the West Indies for the three-match Test series which is set to commence on July 8. It will conclude on July 28 and then after a small break, the Pakistan series is expected to start.