One of the greatest perks of being an international cricketer is travelling around and enjoying lavish stays at five-star hotels. However, things did not quite pan out the way expected for the Pakistan cricket team, which arrived earlier this month.
Pakistan flew early to prepare for their upcoming three-match Test series and as many T20Is against hosts England.
According to the current ICC norms, sides have to travel 14 days prior to the start of the series and stay confined in a biosecure environment. It was one of the many new stipulations imposed by ECB and ICC in their bid for the resumption of cricket post-COVID-19 hiatus.
To create a bio-secure environment for the Pakistan team, they were made to stay in a 3-star hotel in England, during their 14-day isolation period in Worcester.
The cricketers are not even permitted to move outside the confined area for food which is served to the respected floor. Training is the only permitted outdoor activity for the ‘Men in Green’. They are allowed to play indoor games but only restricted to their respective rooms.
For the second phase of their tour, the players have arrived in Derby this week. Reportedly, they have been moved Travelodge is Derby which is a, again, a three-star hotel. The Asian side will travel to Manchester on August 1.
Hosts England is currently at loggerheads with visiting West Indies team for a three-match test series.
The first Test match between Pakistan and England will be held at Old Trafford in Manchester, from August 5. Meanwhile, the T20I series will commence on August 28. Babar Azam will lead his troops in the T20I series whereas Azhar Ali will captain the side in whites.
Earlier, England Cricket Board (ECB) nominated Southampton and Manchester as venues for all fixtures in the undergoing English summer as both grounds have a hotel adjacent to them.
