London, Jul 16 (IANS): A Pakistan player has joined the rest of the squad after a COVID-19 positive test in the United Kingdom. The player had arrived in the country to join the rest of the squad as part of a delayed third batch of players.

"A Pakistan player has been cleared to return to the squad after undergoing a precautionary period of self-isolation," The England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement on Thursday.

"The player had returned a positive test result for the remnants of a previous COVID-19 infection and in consultation with Public Health England and a virologist a safety-first approach was taken to isolate the player.

"The player has since returned two negative tests with no risk of infection to other players and staff."

According to ESPNcricinfo, the player, Kashif Bhatti had tested positive for COVID-19 before departure in Pakistan. After later testing negative twice, he was cleared to travel to the UK. An initial test then done in the UK under ECB protocols had returned a positive result. There have been two more tests since and both have returned negative.

The first Test between England and Pakistan will be played in Manchester starting August 5 while the final two Tests are scheduled to be played at Southampton from August 13 and August 21, respectively.

The three T20Is, meanwhile, will be played at a single venue in Manchester on August 28, August 30 and September 1.