Mohammad Hafeez returns to Pakistan squad after testing negative for COVID-19

Pakistan’s right-hand batsman Mohammad Hafeez has returned to the squad after testing negative for Covid-19. Hafeez had been self-isolated lately after breaching the bio-security bubble protocol.

On 12th August, Hafeez posted a picture on Twitter with a lady in a golf course next to the Ages Bowl. He captioned the picture as saying, “Met an inspirational young lady today morning at a golf course. She is 90+ & living her life healthy & happily. Good healthy routine”.

Met an inspirational Young lady today morning at Golf course. She is 90+ & & living her life healthy & happily.Good healthy routine 😍👍🏼 pic.twitter.com/3tsWSkXl1E

— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) August 12, 2020

After this post, criticism started pouring in from Twitteratis after which the management informed that Hafeez has been instructed to undergo self-isolation.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in a statement mentioned that the Hafeez had been asked for the self-isolation and on Wednesday he went through a COVID-19 test which turned out to be negative. Hafeez will be rejoining the squad.

However, according to the bio-security bubble protocol, if someone breaks it, the payer must go for self-isolation for 5 days and they must return with two negative COVID-19 test results.

This is the second series that is being played under the bio-security bubble protocol. The protocol was first enforced playing during the series between West Indies and England.

Hafeez is not the first player to have contravened the protocol. Before him, England star bowler Jofra Archer did the same as he stopped by his flat to pick and drop some of his personal belongings and for that, he missed out on the 2nd test game between England and West Indies. Although, apologized for that later on.

“I am extremely sorry for what I have done. I have put, not only myself but the whole team and management in danger. I fully accept the consequences of my actions, and I want to sincerely apologies to everyone in the bio-secure bubble,” Archer said.

Hafeez’s mistake won’t cost him any match as he is not the part of Pakistan’s 20 member squad chosen for the test series against England.