Haris Rauf was about to make his Test debut in Rawalpindi against Australia
Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the historic Test against Australia. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said that Rauf is currently in isolation. Pakistan will host Australia for the 1st Test on 4ht March.
Haris, who hasn’t played any Test match for Pakistan yet, was expected to make his debut in the format, considering that fast bowler Hasan Ali and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf were already ruled out of the first game against Australia due to their respective injuries.
"Haris has tested positive and has gone into isolation and with the Test just three days away it seems highly unlikely he will be available for the first Test starting March 4," a team official said as quoted by PTI.
The first Test between the sides will be played at Rawalpindi from March 4 to 8. Notably, the match will also see Australia playing their first bilateral series in Pakistan since 1998. In the ongoing tour, they are scheduled to play three Tests, as many ODIs and one-off T20.
A full house is expected on day one of the first Test after the government on Tuesday allowed 100 percent capacity for the three Tests to be held in Rawalpindi, Karachi and Lahore.
The National Command and Control Centre for COVID-19 announced that all vaccinated persons, including children aged from 12 above can attend the matches while children under 12 will be allowed unvaccinated.
The government had recently also allowed 100 percent attendance for the final stages of the Pakistan Super League in Lahore.
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