PSL 2021: Players to face four-match ban or up to 100% fees deduction for breaching protocols

It is a known fact that the first leg of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) got postponed in Karachi due to the spread of COVID-19 cases across camps. However, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is keen on enforcing strict rules for the remaining edition which is set to take place in Abu Dhabi. The board will ensure that no violation of rules and regulations and breach of bio bubble takes place now.

As per the sources, players and officials can be banned from one to four matches, and even match fees up to 25-100 percent can be deducted depending on the breach of rules and regulations. The violation of the bio bubble has been categorized into three sections which include ‘minor and major’ breaches inside the bubble. The third level breach included the misstep of going outside the bubble area.

Activities like not wearing a mask while traveling or sitting in the lounge area, or near the players in the bus will be under the minor breach. It will also include not sanitizing hands before entering the ground and not filing COVID-19 symptoms in the tracking process.

Consequences of breaching protocols in PSL 2021

Going to an isolation room without the doctor’s advice, not revealing COVID-19 symptoms, and fabricating COVID-19 test reports would be included in the major breaches. It has been reported that after the first minor breach, a person will be issued a warning and 25 percent of fees might be deducted. However, repeating the same thing may result in getting banned from three matches and fee deduction up to 75 percent.

Whoever so moves outside the bio bubble area will be immediately quarantined, will under a go RT-PCR test, and may see a ban of three-four matches with 100 percent fee deduction. The decision of the PCB technical committee can be appealed within 24 hours. However, the final decision will rest in hands of Chief Executive, Wasim Khan.

After getting cancelled for the first time in Karachi, it will be a thing to see how PCB conducts the remaining matches of PSL 2021 successfully in Abu Dhabi.