Major blow to Pakistan as seven more cricketers contract coronavirus ahead of England serie.

KARACHI -- Seven more cricketers have tested positive for the deadly coronavirus, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Executive Wasim Khan said Tuesday, a day after three players of the national team had contracted the respiratory illness.

The national team has been rocked this week after 10 of its 29 England-bound players as well as the team masseur Malang Ali tested positive for the virus.

"Players who have tested positive are: Fakhar Zaman, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan, and Wahab Riaz," the PCB CEO said in a video conference.

Apart from the seven players, one support personnel the masseur also contracted the illness after the cricket body had 35 tests carried out for COVID-19 in Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar.

Shoaib Malik, Cliffe Deacon, and Waqar Younis have not been tested as of reporting time.

Khan, in this regard, said fittest athletes contracting the virus "clearly reflect the danger this virus possesses" and urged public to adhere to the safety and precautionary measures.

'As regards the players, who have tested positive, we will continue to monitor and support them...