PCB postpones PSL 2021 with immediate effect after COVID-19 outbreak

The sixth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been postponed indefinitely with immediate effect in the wake of several positive COVID-19 cases. The decision comes a couple of days after the league stage fixture between Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United was moved when the latter’s Fawad Ahmed was tested positive for COVID-19.

On Thursday, a release from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stated that three more players tested positive for the dreaded virus. The official release also stated that the unnamed players were not part of the double-header games [Karachi Kings vs Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators vs Multan Sultans] on Wednesday (March 3).

On the same day, the PCB also announced that Australia all-rounder Daniel Christian, who was playing for Karachi Kings, has pulled out of PSL and would depart to Australia. Before that, England batsman Tom Banton had revealed that he was one of the two foreign players who had tested positive and he was under isolation. PCB Director of Media Sami-ul Hasan Burney had announced on Tuesday that two foreign players and one member of the support staff had tested positive for the virus.

Also Read – PSL 2021: Tom Banton joins the list of COVID-19 affected players from the camp

PSL postponed indefinitely

In the wake of the alarming COVID-19 outbreak, the PCB has decided to postpone the tournament. A total of 14 games had taken place in the competition which started on February 20. The tournament had to be postponed last year too just before the playoffs in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. The remaining matches were later held in November.

“Following a meeting with the team owners and considering the health and wellbeing of all participants is paramount, the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to postpone the HBL Pakistan Super League 6 with immediate effect. The decision was made after seven cases were reported in the competition, which had started on 20 February,” PCB stated in a release.

“The PCB, as an immediate step, will focus on the safe and secure passage of all participants, and arrange repeat PCR tests, vaccines and isolation facilities to the six participating sides,” it added.