England tour during pandemic is a 'big risk', says PCB doctor.

ISLAMABAD -- A Pakistan Cricket Board medical official says the upcoming tour of England during the coronavirus pandemic is a 'big risk' but one that is necessary to help the country get through the crisis.

'During the pandemic it's (the tour) a big risk,' said the PCB's director of medical and sports sciences Dr. Sohail Saleem on Monday.

'We haven't experienced (playing during a pandemic), but for both teams it will be a first. The pandemic means risk, but consider them (players) as ... providing people entertainment.'

Saleem said he was encouraged by soccer resuming in Europe where the Bundesliga in Germany and the Premier League in England have staged games played in empty stadiums.

'There's no crowd in football and there will be no spectators at cricket stadiums too,' he said.

'The anxiety level of people sitting at home is rising, but cricket can be seen as lowering these.'

The Pakistan team is scheduled to leave for England on Sunday to play three test matches and three Twenty20s in August and September. The PCB is sending an extended squad of 29 players in case replacements are needed for anyone testing positive during the tour.

All 29 players will be tested twice for COVID-19 before they board the flight to London. Once the team lands in the UK, Saleem said the players will go through another testing session before they start training in a bio-secured environment.

'After every 5-7 days we will be carrying out testing of the players in the UK,' Saleem said.

'Three days before the start of the first test another round of testing of...