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Covid-19: Two UAE players test positive ahead of Ireland ODIs

Dubai - Suri and Lakra were moved into isolation and are being monitored.

UAE’s Chirag Suri and Aryan Lakra have tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the first of the four One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against Ireland but the series went ahead as planned, after taking the necessary measures, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) revealed on Friday.

Suri, who is the team’s vice-captain and Lakra, who led UAE at the Under-19 World Cup in South Africa last January, were moved into isolation and are being monitored. They are said to be in good health, the ECB said.

As per the biosecurity protocols put in place for the series, all the areas were immediately sanitised.

“Emirates Cricket Board confirm that Chirag Suri, UAE Vice Captain, and Aryan Lakra have returned Positive CoVid19 tests. Both players are currently in isolation, are being monitored and are in good health,” the ECB said in a statement.

“All areas were immediately and thoroughly sanitized as per existing protocols with no further positive tests returned,” the statement added.

The first ODI began at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday. Following the positive results, the UAE handed debuts to young opening batsman, the 17-year-old Alishan Sharafu and all-rounder Kashif Daud. Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie won the toss and elected to bat first.

All the matches are taking place in Abu Dhabi with the second ODI on Sunday, followed by the third on Tuesday. The fourth and final match is on Thursday.

james@khaleejtimes.com