UAE vice-captain Chirag Suri and Aryan Lakra test positive for coronavirus ahead of Ireland match

Both players currently in isolation while first ODI goes ahead as planned at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi

UAE vice-captain Chirag Suri, left, is in isloation after testing positive for Covid-19 ahead of the first ODI against Ireland. Chris Whiteoak / The National

UAE have suffered a double blow ahead of their return to international cricket for the first time in nearly 11 months after two of their players tested positive for coronavirus.

Chirag Suri, the vice-captain, and newcomer Aryan Lakra returned positive results and have been put into isolation in Abu Dhabi.

The Emirates Cricket Board announced the positive tests on the morning of the UAE’s first one-day international against Ireland at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Friday.

“The ECB have confirmed that vice-captain Chirag Suri and Aryan Lakra have tested positive for Covid 19,” they said in a statement.

“Both players are currently in isolation, are being monitored and are in good health.

“All areas were immediately and thoroughly sanitised as per existing protocols with no further positive tests returned.”

The first ODI is still going ahead as planned. Ireland have won the toss and opted to bat first.

The UAE have handed ODI debuts to 17-year-old batsman Alishan Sharafu and Kashif Daud, the 34-year-old allrounder.