Alex Hales has confirmed that he is self-isolating, having developed symptoms of the coronavirus upon his return home from the Pakistan Super League.

The PCB announced on Tuesday the postponement of the knockout stages of the PSL after revealing that an overseas player had showed symptoms of the coronavirus. Ramiz Raja, a commentator at the PSL, revealed to reporters in Pakistan that Hales was the player in question. 

Hales left the tournament last week alongside a number of other overseas players due to fears over flight cancellations and potential border closures.

In a statement from 366 Group, Hales’ management company, the Karachi Kings batsman confirmed that he has developed a fever and “dry and persistent cough” and is hopeful of being tested for Covid-19 later on Tuesday.

An update on my situation, stay safe everyone pic.twitter.com/8mDPOBGmI8

— Alex Hales (@AlexHales1) March 17, 2020





“In the light of the speculation and rumour that is currently circulating within the cricket world and on social media, I felt I needed to give a full explanation of my situation,” Hales said.

“Like many other overseas players, I reluctantly left the Pakistan Super League early because, with COVID-19 reaching global pandemic status, I felt it was more important to be with my family rather than face a period of lockdown thousands of miles from home.

“I returned to the UK in the early hours of Saturday morning feeling perfectly fit and healthy and with absolutely no symptoms of the virus.

“However, I awoke early on Sunday morning having developed a fever and followed the government’s advice of self-isolation, a process I am obviously still following having developed a dry and persistent cough.

“At this stage, it has not been possible to be tested although I am hopeful that might be the case later today so that I can get absolute confirmation of my current health status.”