<p>A one-day international series between hosts Pakistan and the West Indies starting this weekend was called off Thursday because of a Covid-19 outbreak among the visitors, officials from both sides said.</p>.<p>Five members of the West Indies squad -- including three players -- tested positive for Covid on Thursday, in addition to four cases reported at the weekend.</p>.<p>The three-match series, which was due to start Saturday, is part of the qualifying round for the 2023 World Cup.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/i-wouldnt-have-been-half-the-brand-that-i-am-today-without-india-bravo-1058448.html">I wouldn't have been half the brand that I am today without India: Bravo</a></strong></p>.<p>The matches will be rescheduled for June next year, a statement from officials said, adding the decision was taken to protect players and acknowledge the limited resources left in the West Indies squad.</p>.<p>Despite the outbreak, a third Twenty20 match between the two sides went ahead Thursday, with a depleted West Indies winning the toss and electing to bat.</p>.<p>Pakistan won the first two matches.</p>.<p>The cancellation of the ODI series is a huge blow to Pakistan, which has seen tours by New Zealand and England called off in recent months on security grounds.</p>.<p>West Indies officials said the latest positive test results in the squad came from wicketkeeper-batsman Shai Hope, left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, all-rounder Justin Greaves, assistant coach Roddy Estwick, and physician Akshai Mansingh.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/west-indies-captain-pollard-out-of-pakistan-tour-1057955.html">West Indies captain Pollard out of Pakistan tour</a></strong></p>.<p>Left-arm pace bowler Sheldon Cottrell, and all-rounders Roston Chase and Kyle Mayers, tested positive for Covid on Saturday along with a team official.</p>.<p>Officials said those who tested positive will have to isolate in Karachi before being allowed to travel home.</p>.<p>In October New Zealand quit their first tour to the country in 18 years shortly before the opening match was due to start, following a security alert.</p>.<p>That was followed by England's decision to withdraw visits by their men's and women's teams scheduled for October.</p>.<p>Pakistan officials were furious with the cancellations, arguing security measures were lock-tight.</p>.<p>The cricket-mad nation endured a long spell without a visit from an international team following a terror attack on a bus carrying the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in 2009.</p>.<p>Pakistan were forced to play their home international matches abroad -- mostly in the United Arab Emirates -- until 2015, when normal service tentatively resumed.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
<p>A one-day international series between hosts Pakistan and the West Indies starting this weekend was called off Thursday because of a Covid-19 outbreak among the visitors, officials from both sides said.</p>.<p>Five members of the West Indies squad -- including three players -- tested positive for Covid on Thursday, in addition to four cases reported at the weekend.</p>.<p>The three-match series, which was due to start Saturday, is part of the qualifying round for the 2023 World Cup.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/i-wouldnt-have-been-half-the-brand-that-i-am-today-without-india-bravo-1058448.html">I wouldn't have been half the brand that I am today without India: Bravo</a></strong></p>.<p>The matches will be rescheduled for June next year, a statement from officials said, adding the decision was taken to protect players and acknowledge the limited resources left in the West Indies squad.</p>.<p>Despite the outbreak, a third Twenty20 match between the two sides went ahead Thursday, with a depleted West Indies winning the toss and electing to bat.</p>.<p>Pakistan won the first two matches.</p>.<p>The cancellation of the ODI series is a huge blow to Pakistan, which has seen tours by New Zealand and England called off in recent months on security grounds.</p>.<p>West Indies officials said the latest positive test results in the squad came from wicketkeeper-batsman Shai Hope, left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, all-rounder Justin Greaves, assistant coach Roddy Estwick, and physician Akshai Mansingh.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/west-indies-captain-pollard-out-of-pakistan-tour-1057955.html">West Indies captain Pollard out of Pakistan tour</a></strong></p>.<p>Left-arm pace bowler Sheldon Cottrell, and all-rounders Roston Chase and Kyle Mayers, tested positive for Covid on Saturday along with a team official.</p>.<p>Officials said those who tested positive will have to isolate in Karachi before being allowed to travel home.</p>.<p>In October New Zealand quit their first tour to the country in 18 years shortly before the opening match was due to start, following a security alert.</p>.<p>That was followed by England's decision to withdraw visits by their men's and women's teams scheduled for October.</p>.<p>Pakistan officials were furious with the cancellations, arguing security measures were lock-tight.</p>.<p>The cricket-mad nation endured a long spell without a visit from an international team following a terror attack on a bus carrying the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in 2009.</p>.<p>Pakistan were forced to play their home international matches abroad -- mostly in the United Arab Emirates -- until 2015, when normal service tentatively resumed.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>