Self-isolated Hales to undergo test for COVID-19

KARACHI: When Alex Hales abruptly left Pakistan last Saturday amidst fears of coronavirus, he was “feeling perfectly fit and healthy and with absolutely no symptoms of the virus”.

But a couple of days later, the big-hitting batsman who was representing Karachi Kings in the PSL, was under self-isolation at his home in Britain after developing symptoms of COVID-19 following his return from the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

That forced PSL’s organisers to postpone the league’s semi-finals and finals indefinitely. Wasim Khan, the CEO of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), said “we cannot reveal the identity of that player”, but Ramiz Raja, who has been commentating on the tournament, told reporters: “Alex Hales has developed symptoms.”

Raja’s comments led to inaccurate speculation that Hales had tested positive for the virus, which he denied in a statement. “In the light of the speculation and rumour that is currently circulating within the cricket world and on social media, I felt I needed to give a full explanation of my situation,” Hales said.

“Like many other overseas players, I reluctantly left the Pakistan Super League early because, with COVID-19 reaching global pandemic status, I felt it was more important to be with my family rather than face a period of lockdown thousands of miles from home.

“I returned to the UK in the early hours of Saturday morning feeling perfectly fit and healthy and with absolutely no symptoms of the virus. However, I awoke early on Sunday morning having developed a fever and followed the government’s advice of self-isolation, a process I am obviously still following having developed a dry and persistent cough.

“At this stage, it has not been possible to be tested although I am hopeful that might be the case later today [Tuesday] so that I can get absolute confirmation of my current health status.”

The Guardian reported that Hales spent Saturday socialising with Tom Curran after returning from Pakistan, but that Curran is not one of the six Surrey players confirmed by the club to be in self-isolation on Monday.

Hales had tweeted “Self-isolation begins… TV series to watch please?!” on Monday, but later deleted the post. All the players and officials of the four teams to have qualified for the PSL semi-finals, as well as broadcasters and staff involved with the games, will be tested for the virus following the competition’s postponement. –with inputs from agencies