Former Pakistan skipper and Quetta Gladiators all-rounder Shahid Afridi on Thursday has tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the PSL 2022.
The star player will quarantine at home following the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) protocols and will be reintegrated into the squad after seven days of quarantine and a negative test.
“I have unfortunately tested positive but have no symptoms at all. InshALLAH hope to recover soon, test negative and rejoin QG as soon as possible. Good luck to all teams in #HBLPSL7 I’m committed to giving it my all in my last PSL edition,” Shahid Afridi tweeted.
I have unfortunately tested positive but have no symptoms at all. InshALLAH hope to recover soon, test negative and rejoin QG as soon as possible. Good luck to all teams in #HBLPSL7 I'm committed to giving it my all in my last PSL edition. pic.twitter.com/wCiEb5laZS
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) January 27, 2022
Meanwhile, a week-long quarantine means the all-rounder will likely miss the first three matches of his side against Peshawar Zalmi, Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans between Jan 28 and Feb 2.
Afridi went to a hospital on Wednesday after seeking permission from the team management.
The all-rounder said that he will complete the required three-day quarantine period, after which he will join the squad.
He had asked the franchise management to excuse him from the bio-secure bubble due to personal and health issues.
Sources familiar with the matter had earlier told Geo News that Afridi told the management that he was suffering from back pain and that a relative of his wife had passed away.
Afridi had also contracted Covid-19 in June 2020.
Mark your calendar and be sure to tune in this Friday, 2️⃣8️⃣ January as we release 'Born Gladiator – The Journey of Shahid Afridi'@SAfridiOfficial #PurpleForce #WeTheGladiators #ShaanePakistan pic.twitter.com/8rOICn5THe
— Quetta Gladiators (@TeamQuetta) January 26, 2022
The Gladiators will play their first game against Zalmi on Friday at the National Stadium, Karachi.
It is pertinent to mention here that this is going to be the last PSL season for Afridi as he had announced it last year.
In my final PSL event, it will be my dream and wish to sign off with another PSL trophy after tasting success with Peshawar Zalmi in 2017,” he had added.
