Finn Allen tests positive for Covid-19 two days after landing in Bangladesh

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) have confirmed that opening batsman Finn Allen has tested positive for Covid-19, 48 hours after landing in Dhaka, ahead of the five-match T20I series against Bangladesh. Allen had flown to Bangladesh from England, where he was representing Birmingham Phoenix in the inaugural edition of The Hundred. 

The 22-year-old left competition early for national duty, after he was picked in New Zealand’s squad for the tours of Bangladesh and Pakistan, but the youngster has now received a Covid setback. Currently in isolation, Allen, according to NZC, is believed to be experiencing ‘moderate symptoms’.

“It’s really unfortunate for Finn. He’s comfortable at the moment and hopefully he’ll recover quickly; test negative and be cleared and approved for discharge as soon as possible,” an official NZC release quoted Blackaps manager Mike Sandle as saying.

NZC also confirmed that, “once he has undergone treatment and the statutory period of isolation, and has tested negative for COVID-19 on consecutive days”, Allen will be cleared to re-join his team-mates.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand-based members of the Blackcaps, who arrived in Dhaka earlier today, would now undergo a minimum three-day period of in-room isolation. There is, however, no word on whether Allen will be replaced in the squad.

The five-match T20I series will commence at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on September 1.