Three more Pakistan players test positive for Covid-19

Three more Pakistan players who have assembled for the national camp in Karachi ahead of the team's ODI series against West Indies have tested positive for COVID-19. This latest count takes the total number of players to six, leaving the home team in a tricky situation.

All players who tested positive are in quarantine, separate from the rest of the squad who continue to train at the National Stadium in Karachi. The squad are undergoing daily PCR tests.

"All possible bio-secure bubble regulations are being implemented and enforced but in the existing circumstances cricket has learnt to co-exist with Covid-19," a Pakistan Cricket Board offical was quoted as saying by PTI.

Pakistan will play three ODIs against West Indies before both squads leave for Zimbabwe to participate in the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifiers beginning on November 21.

Pakistan allrounder Nida Dar said she is looking forward to playing international cricket at home again and can't wait for the series to get underway.

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"We are getting some great practice ahead of the three ODIs against the West Indies," she said. "The pitches here are great for cricket and the weather is also great for the game. This series is very important for us to prepare for the World Cup Qualifier."

Echoing her thoughts, West Indies head coach Courtney Walsh also reiterated the importance of the series for his team to get some game time under their belts ahead of the qualifier.

“This will be a good sort of pre-qualifiers international series to play,” Walsh said in a pre-series media interaction over Zoom on Tuesday (November 2). “It is very important for us to sort of get some competitive cricket before we get to the qualifiers.”

The tourists reached Karachi on Monday (November 1) are are currently undergoing mandatory hotel quarantine. They will have a couple of practice sessions ahead of the first ODI on November 8, with the next two scheduled for November 11 and 14. All matches will be played at the National Stadium.