RAWALPINDI: The first Test between Pakistan and England in Rawalpindi will start as scheduled today after the visitors passed a medical assessment on the morning of the match. However, changes are expected to the playing XI that England had announced 48 hours ahead of the match.
A virus that spread through the England camp on the eve of the game raised the possibility of the Test being postponed. This raised the question of whether England would have enough healthy players to take the field.
The virus had initially wiped out 14 members of the touring group including half of the 16-man playing squad, with symptoms including diarrhoea and vomiting.
Following an assessment by Dr Peirce and Dr Biswas of the touring group, many of whom were confined to their hotel rooms on Wednesday, the results confirmed England would be able to field an XI.
A joint statement from the ECB and PCB said, “The ECB has informed the PCB that they are in a position to field an XI, and, as such, the first Test will commence as per schedule today (Thursday, 1 December) at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.”
