PSL 2021 to go ahead as scheduled despite 3 more COVID positive cases

The authorities of the 2021 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) were dealt with a massive blow ahead of the game between Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators as the veteran leg spinner Fawad Alam tested positive for the novel coronavirus. This had resulted in the clash between the two teams getting postponed for 24 hours followed by the PCR testing of all the players and staff involved in the PSL 2021.

A total of 244 Test results are out while the results for 40-45 tests, all for one franchise, are awaited. The Test results didn’t bore good news for the organizers as it is learned that two more overseas players and a support staff member has returned positive results.

All three infected members have been asked to self-isolate themselves on a separate floor of a biosecure hotel. The matches are being played in a biosecure bubble to ensure the safety of the players and other staff. However, the authorities had decided to allow the presence of the fans in the stadium for watching live matches.

The National Stadium has been at 50 percent capacity, up from 20 percent earlier in the competition. The tournament now moves to Lahore from March 7 and organizers have ambitions of the Stadium being full for the playoffs later this month.

PCB to not delay the scheduled games of PSL 2021

It was speculated that due to the positive results, the tournament might be delayed for as many as seven days, however, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided against it. Also, it has been decided that there will be no change in the scheduled games unless a team has up to five affected players, seeing that all teams have 18-member squads.

“We have a virtual meeting with franchise owners and team management to give them the confidence, assurances, to take their support, reminding them of the protocols and the way forward,” PCB media director Sami ul Hasan said at National Stadium in Karachi on Tuesday as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“The organising committee has already sent out a reminder to every stakeholder to exercise extra caution and nobody is told to go in self-isolation, just a caution that involves using a face mask, avoid wandering on the hotel floor, and members who have tested positive will remain in ten days’ quarantine. And since yesterday, now PCR tests will be carried out every fourth day,” he added.