A further outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) infections in the West Indies camp has forced the postponement of the Caribbean side’s white-ball tour of Pakistan.

The West Indies played three T20 internationals against Pakistan but the three ODIs scheduled have now been postponed until June next year.

The decision to postpone the ODIs was arrived at by the Pakistan Cricket Board and Cricket West Indies after five more members of the touring delegation tested positive for the virus during PCR tests conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board on Wednesday (December 15).

Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein and Justin Greaves were the players who returned positive tests along with assistant coach Roddy Estwick and team physician Dr Akhai Mansingh.

With the safety of the players and staff of paramount concern, both boards decided to call off the remainder of the tour and released a joint statement on the development.

“On Thursday morning and as part of the PCB COVID-19 Protocols, Rapid Antigen tests were conducted on the remaining 15 West Indies players and six-player support personnel. All 21 members of the West Indies touring party have returned negative test results. As such, Thursday’s T20 International (T20I) proceeded as planned,” the statement said.

However, taking into consideration both the teams’ welfare as well as limited resources in the West Indies side for the ODIs, “it has been agreed that the series, which forms part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, will be postponed and rescheduled for early June 2022.”

This, they said, will provide the West Indies with an equal opportunity to field their best available players for the World Cup qualification matches.

The West Indies team members, who returned negative results following Wednesday’s PCR and Thursday’s rapid antigen tests, will depart from Pakistan after the match. Those who have tested positive will complete their isolation in Karachi before their travel arrangements are finalised to allow them to rejoin their families in time for Christmas celebrations.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan team members, all of whom have returned PCR negative after Wednesday’s tests, will also be leaving the Managed Event Environment after the third T20I.