Emirates Cricket Board and Cricket Ireland agreed to postpone the second one game after the UAE one player has tested positive for COVID-19. The two cricket bodies have agreed to postpone tomorrow’s scheduled match until Saturday 16 January 2021. Emirates Cricket Board confirmed that UAE player, Alishan Sharafu, has today tested positive for COVID-19.
Subhan Ahmed, Emirates Cricket Board Advisor, provided clarity on the situation: As part of our COVID-19 safety protocols for this series, all players were required to undergo and provide a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering the Bio-Bubble in Abu Dhabi.
The tests that were carried out on December 29th were all negative. Players were then isolated in their separate hotel rooms for three days. On January 7th, Chirag Suri tested positive, followed by Aryan Lakra on January 8th, and now one other player also affected by the Coronavirus.
Both Chirag and Aryan were isolated in their hotel rooms immediately after testing positive. As all remaining tests were negative, and after the tracing app data was reviewed, no further close contacts were traced.
In accordance with the Authorities’ directives, the isolated players remained in their hotel rooms until the Health Authorities coordinated their move to an official isolation center, where they remain.
On January 9th, and following a seventh test carried out on January 8th on all players and staff in the UAE team bubble, Alishan Sharafu’s test also came back positive. Alishan is currently in isolation awaiting transfer by the Health Authorities to a medical isolation facility.
The international fixtures, which will be played at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, are:
• UAE v Ireland – 2nd ODI – 12 Jan 2021 (start: 9.30am local time / 5.30am Irish time)
• UAE v Ireland – 3rd ODI – 14 Jan 2021 (start: 9.30am local time / 5.30am Irish time)
• UAE v Ireland – 4th ODI – 16 Jan 2021 (start: 9.30am local time / 5.30am Irish time)
