PSL 2020: Lahore Qalandars face a major setback as Chris Lynn, David Wiese leave Pakistan ahead of semi-final

Chris Lynn and David Wiese have become the latest overseas cricketer to leave Pakistan Super League (PSL) due to the coronavirus outbreak. Both the players were playing for Lahore Qalandars. The pandemic has triggered a mass exodus of overseas players due to understandable reasons. Before Lynn and Wiese, a total of 15 overseas players had left Pakistan.

The likes of Alex Hales, Jason Roy, Tymal Mills, Liam Dawson, Liam Livingstone, Lewis Gregory and James Vince, Carlos Braithwaite, Rilee Roussouw, Mitchell McClenaghan had earlier withdrawn from the PSL 2020 owing to the global pandemic. Along with the aforementioned players, Peshawar Zalmi head coach James Foster has left PSL too.

PSL is the only high-profile cricket tournament that is still in operation. Last week, the BCCI had suspended the IPL till April 15. A number of international series were called off too as a precautionary measure. The PCB, on its part, cut short the fifth edition of PSL by four days. The cricket board also decided to conduct the remaining games of the competition behind closed doors.

But that decision did not stop Wiese and Lynn from staying in Pakistan for the finals. The duo decided to leave the country after helping Lahore Qalandars progress ahead of the group stage for the very first time. Wiese took to Twitter to confirm his decision. He thanked the fans for the amazing experience as he tweeted:

“It’s been an amazing experience playing for @lahoreqalandars in this years @thePSLt20. Unfortunately, this is the end of the tournament for me but I would like to thank each and every Qalander fan for all ur support!I’ve teally enjoyed my time in Pakistan and hope to be back soon!”

It’s been an amazing experience playing for @lahoreqalandars in this years @thePSLt20
Unfortunately this is the end of the tournament for me but I would like to thank each and every Qalander fan for all ur support!I’ve teally enjoyed my time in Pakistan and hope to be back soon! pic.twitter.com/2bMzHQmGjU

— David Wiese (@David_Wiese) March 15, 2020

Lynn echoed the same sentiments on Instagram, writing: “Thoroughly enjoyed my time at the @thepsl unfortunately in these circumstances I’ve chosen to head home, I’ve always said there is more to life than cricket and this is certainly one of these cases,” Lynn posted on Instagram.

“I have full faith in the @lahoreqalandars to go all the way but more importantly have fun lads! Thank you to everyone involved, Pakistan you have been a blast.”

View this post on Instagram

Thoroughly enjoyed my time at the @thepsl unfortunately in these circumstances I’ve chosen to head home, I’ve always said there is more to life than cricket and this is certainly one of these cases. I have full faith in the @lahoreqalandars to go all the way but more importantly have fun lads! Thank you to everyone involved, Pakistan you have been a blast 😁😁😁

A post shared by Chris Lynn (@lynny_50) on Mar 15, 2020 at 2:30pm PDT

Chris Lynn starred in a monumental win against Multan Sultans

Chris Lynn scored a sensational century as Lahore Qalandars thrashed table-toppers Multan Sultans by nine wickets on Sunday to storm into the semifinal. The Lahore-based outfit will take on Karachi Kings for a ticket to the final. In the other semifinal, Multan Sultans will lock horns against Peshawar Zalmi. Both the semifinals will take place on March 17 while the final will take place on March 18.

Qalandars had their task cut out when Sultans posted a massive total of 187 for 6 in the allotted 20 overs. But Lynn’s batting masterclass saw the Qalandars chase down the big total inside 19 overs by losing just one wicket. The hard-hitting Australian remained unbeaten on 113.