Former Pakistan captain Afridi tests positive for COVID-19

 Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi on Saturday said he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

“I’ve been feeling unwell since Thursday; my body had been aching badly. I’ve been tested and unfortunately I’m COVID positive. Need prayers for a speedy recovery,” Afridi, 40, wrote on Twitter.

Afridi becomes the third cricketer from the country, and the second international after former opener Taufeeq Umar, to have contracted the virus. Zafar Sarfraz, the former first-class cricketer who died of the disease, was the first.

The swashbuckling all-rounder played over 500 international games across all formats after making his debut in 1996.

Afridi’s last match for Pakistan was the defeat by Australia in the World Twenty20 in Mohali in March 2016.

Afridi becomes the third cricketer from the country, and the second international after former opener Taufeeq Umar, to have contracted the virus. Zafar Sarfraz, the former first-class cricketer who died of the disease, was the first.