Islamabad United’s leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed has tested positive for coronavirus. The news was confirmed by the franchise on their Twitter account on Monday evening.

Islamabad United

Islamabad United is a Pakistani professional Twenty20 franchise cricket team that competes in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The team’s nickname is IU. Islamabad United is the inaugural champion of the Pakistan Super League. The team is nominally based in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, and was formed in 2015 to compete in the first season of the Pakistan Super League. Islamabad United won the first PSL title, defeating Quetta Gladiators in the final. Shoaib Naveed is the Chief Operating Officer of the franchise, Rehan Ul Haq is its General Manager and Hassan Cheema is the Strategy Manager.

The franchise won their second title in the third season of the PSL, by defeating Peshawar Zalmi in the final by 3 wickets, and is currently the most successful franchise in the Pakistan Super League history with 2 winnings titles. The team’s home ground is the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The team was coached by Pakistan Men’s national team Head Coach and Chief Selector Misbah-ul-Haq, replacing Dean Jones who coached the side from the first season till the fourth season. Shadab Khan was named as the captain of the team before PSL 5, with that he became the youngest captain in PSL history. The team director and fast bowling coach is former Pakistani fast bowler Waqar Younis while Saeed Ajmal is the team’s spin bowling coach. The leading run-scorer of the team is Luke Ronchi, while Faheem Ashraf is the leading wicket-taker.

Fawad Ahmed testing positive for coronavirus – PSL6

The Event Technical Committee of the PSL6 had decided to reschedule Quetta Gladiators – Islamabad United match for Tuesday 2nd March at 7 pm PST.

This decision was made despite both sides returning negative tests on late Monday afternoon after Fawad Ahmed of Islamabad United’s test result came back positive earlier today. Fawad Ahmed was put in isolation late Saturday night. He will re-enter the bio-secure bubble after two negative tests. The choice to reschedule the match has been made after cautious consideration, pointed toward permitting players adequate chance to relax, pull together, and refocus following the testing and to the greatest advantage of the opposition. While all squad members of Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United have tested negative, players and player support personnel of the four remaining sides and the match officials will undergo rapid tests on Monday evening.

Three other players from Islamabad United tested positive for coronavirus

According to the official PSL6 website news portal, since Monday 1st March and apart from the rapid tests, a total of 244 PCR tests have been conducted to date, resulting in three positive tests for Islamabad United. These individuals, including two foreign players and local player support personnel, have been quarantined on a separate floor of the team hotel. Just under 300 people are inside the bubble, including players, support staff, families, owners, match officials, and security officers, who will undergo repeat PCR tests on Thursday. Additionally, all 112 members of the broadcast crew and the National Stadium as well as PCB staff have also been tested.

The tickets for Monday’s match will be valid on Tuesday, while the unused tickets can be refunded. 

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