LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has successfully completed the first phase of its COVID-19 vaccination drive for players and support staff in collaboration with government’s National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).
According to a statement issued today (Friday), the PCB confirmed the update, saying that during this phase, Pakistan’s leading cricketers across all three formats and support staff were vaccinated.
In the first phase, 57 men players, 13 officials of the men’s team, and 13 NHPC men and women coaches were vaccinated. A number of franchise players and support staff besides PCB match officials involved in the February-March phase of the HBL Pakistan Super League (three-match referees, three umpires) were also vaccinated.
The vaccination drive started on 4 March in Karachi and carried on for more than two months, before its conclusion on 6 May when eight players – part of Pakistan’s squad for the ongoing Test series against Zimbabwe – were given second doses in Harare.
In the next phase, remaining domestic men cricketers, national women cricketers, age-group cricketers and support staff of the domestic, national women and age-group teams will be vaccinated. The second-phase is expected to commence shortly.
PCB Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer said, “The PCB has a duty of care towards its cricketers, especially in the ongoing pandemic, and keeping that in mind we requested the NCOC for vaccines during the PSL 6.”
