LAHORE: Former captain Mohammad Hafeez, who is now part of the Pakistan team currently touring England has violated the rule of bio-secure bubble so he appeared for Covid-19 test in Southampton on Wednesday.

According to a PCB press release issued on Wednesday, Hafeez violated the rule when he photographed with a member of the public at a golf club and later he also posted it on his social media account.

“This morning, Mohammad Hafeez went to a golf course, which is adjacent to the team hotel and part of the bio-secure bubble. During the golf round, he was photographed with a member of the public, which he subsequently posted on his social media account,” the PCB press statement on the matter said.

“As it was evident from the photograph that Hafeez has breached the two-metre social distancing protocol and following a consultation process with the team doctor, the team management has decided to isolate him until he returns a negative Covid-19 test.

“Hafeez underwent the Covid-19 test late Wednesday afternoon and the result is expected at some stage on Thursday.

“The decision to put Hafeez in isolation has been taken for his and, the safety and security of everyone around him. The team management believes it was an inadvertent mistake, but a good reminder for everyone on the importance of following the bio-secure protocols, which have been designed for the health and safety of everyone involved in the series.

“The team management has updated the England and Wales Cricket Board of its decision,” the release added.

Hafeez is not amongst the 20 players shortlisted for the ongoing three-match Test series against England.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2020