SL vs ZIM: Zimbabwe head coach Lalchand Rajput tests positive for COVID-19 ahead of Sri Lanka-Zimbabwe ODI series
Zimbabwe head coach Lalchand Rajput tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. He will miss the first two ODIs which is part of the ICC Super League.
The 60-year-old was brought to a hotel for isolation after being kept under observation at a hospital.
“We’ll finish up some standard testing and he’ll be ready to return to his hotel. He will be quarantined for ten days, which means he would miss the first two games,” said Arjuna de Silva, a Sri Lankan sports doctor, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
With two victories from nine games, Zimbabwe is currently at the bottom of the Super League table. While Sri Lanka is sixth in the 13-team league with four wins from 15 games. The Super League is a route to the 2023 ODI World Cup. With the top eight teams qualifying outright and the remaining five teams competing in a qualifying event alongside five Associate teams.
SAFE ARRIVAL . . . The 🇿🇼 team after touching down in Colombo in the early hours of Monday ahead of the three-match ODI series versus 🇱🇰 set for Kandy#SLvZIM | #VisitZimbabwe | #BowlOutCovid19
📸 @OfficialSLC pic.twitter.com/QEqAhsRbkw
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) January 10, 2022
Zimbabwe’s team was tested upon arriving in Sri Lanka. They will play three One-Day Internationals. The remainder of the team who had just arrived from Zimbabwe had all tested negative.
Apart from Rajput, Sri Lankan batter Avishka Fernando also tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this week. He did not join the home side’s squad bubble.
The Zimbabwe-Sri Lanka one-day international series will begin on January 16, with matches on January 18, 19, and 21.
The 15- member Zimbabwe squad will be leaded by Craig Ervine.
TOUR SCHEDULE
DATE | MATCH | VENUE
16th January, 2022 01st ODI (Day Night) Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
18th January, 2022 02nd ODI (Day Night) Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
21st January, 2022 03rd ODI (Day Night) Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
Zimbabwe’s Squad for Sri Lanka ODIs:
Ervine Craig (captain), Burl Ryan, Chakabva Regis, Chatara Tendai, Jongwe Luke, Kaitano Takudzwanashe, Madande Clive, Madhevere Wessely, Masakadza Wellington, Mutombodzi Tinotenda, Muzarabani Blessing, Ngarava Richard, Raza Sikandar, Shumba Milton, Williams Sean.