LAHORE: England cricketer Alex Hales had denied rumours that he had been tested positive for novel coronavirus before leaving the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
In a statement on social media site Twitter, Hales quashed as such rumours and warned other from spreading fake news, saying that he was absolutely fine and was not diagnosed with the virus.
Hales statement read: “In light of the speculation and rumour that is currently circulating within the cricketing world and on social media, I felt I needed to give a full explanation of my situation. Like many other overseas players, I reluctantly left the Pakistan Super League early because, with COVID-19 reaching global pandemic status, I felt it was more important to be with my family rather than face a period of lockdown thousands of miles away from home.”
“I returned to the UK early horns on Saturday morning feeling perfectly fit and healthy and with absolutely no symptoms of the virus. However, I awoke early on Sunday morning having developed a fever and followed the government’s advice of self-isolation, a process I am still following having developed a dry and persistent cough
“At this stage, it is not possible to be tested although I am hopeful that might be the case later today so that I can get absolute confirmation of my current health status,” the statement further added.
An update on my situation, stay safe everyone pic.twitter.com/8mDPOBGmI8
— Alex Hales (@AlexHales1) March 17, 2020
It was earlier report that Alex Hales, who has earlier left the now-postponed Pakistan Super League, after showing symptoms of the novel coronavirus along with other England players after the virus outbreak in Pakistan.
Former Test captain and commentator Ramiz Raja claimed that Hales might have shown symptoms of the COVID-19 before flying back home. “What I know is that he is yet to have tests but we don’t know whether the symptoms he has is of Corona or not. But we all now need to be very cautious and obviously adopt a common sense approach to deal with this problem,” Raja said.
Not the way I envisaged my PSL to come to an end, but I want to thank all of the @karachikingsary family and the whole of Pakistan for a really enjoyable month. Hopefully we can lift the trophy on Wednesday and I look forward to coming back next year, fingers crossed! #psl
— Alex Hales (@AlexHales1) March 13, 2020
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Hales played for Karachi Kings PSL. Before leaving he said: “Not the way I envisaged my PSL to come to an end, but I want to thank all of the Karachi Kings family and the whole of Pakistan for a really enjoyable month. Hopefully, we can lift the trophy on Wednesday and I look forward to coming back next year, fingers crossed!”
Pakistan Cricket Board CEO Wasim Khan had also said that a foreign player who participated in the league is suspected to have coronavirus. He did not reveal the name of the player or if he is currently in Pakistan or not, but all PSL players and broadcasters are now being tested for the virus as a precautionary measure.
READ MORE: Coronavirus fears: Three more foreign players leave PSL-5
