PSL 2022: PCB worried over increasing cases of COVID-19 variant Omicron

Owing to the emergence of Omicron variant of coronavirus, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have already started to worry about the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022. As the T20 league is just around the corner, this new variant could go on to be a major threat.

According to a report by Cricket Pakistan, the PCB have once again agreed to lend the services of a foreign company for the bio-secure bubble. As a matter of fact, they have already announced that a complete hotel will be booked for the people and players participating in the league. To be on the safer side, overseas players might have to isolate themselves for a longer period when they land in Pakistan.

However, an important point to be noted is the fact that the previous two seasons of the PSL had to get postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the playoffs of the fifth edition of the league had to be postponed from March 2020 to November 2020, the sixth edition saw the first half being conducted in February-March 2021, and the second half being conducted in June 2021 in the UAE.

PCB doesn’t have a plan B

A franchise official said that just in case there are any roadblocks on the way, the PCB doesn’t have any contingency plans. Moreover, moving the PSL to the UAE has always been the back up plan but the COVID cases are increasing there as well. Thus, the board has a steep challenge ahead. Besides, the cases in Pakistan have been increasing of late.

While players were seen breaching protocols during the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, the same isn’t expected to replicate in the PSL as the protocols are going to be more stricter. Moreover, alongside the players, support staff and franchise representatives, the ground staff will be a part of the bio-bubble as well.

PCB and NCOC have initially agreed to allow a full-capacity crowd for the PSL 7 matches. As there isn’t a plan B this time around, the board needs to ensure the tournament goes smoothly, and is hosted in Pakistan itself. Thus, the seventh edition of the PSL is all going to take place in Karachi and Lahore. It is all set to take place from January 27 to February 27.