Remaining PSL 2020 matches to be played in Pakistan, not UAE

The 2020 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) came to a halt in March due to the massive coronavirus outbreak. The tournament had to be sidelined after the league stages after a few matches were played behind closed doors as a precautionary measure to the COVID-19 virus. Then the PSL franchises wanted the remaining games to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has turned down the request and said that the remaining matches would take place in Pakistan itself. The fifth edition of the league is set to be the first to be entirely played in Pakistan. In a recent meeting of the PSL Governing Council, October-November was being decided as an apt window for the rest of the tournament.

It has also been learned that if the coronavirus pandemic persists, then a formula will be formed to hand over the trophy and distribute the prize money. In the meantime, the PCB has also started a process to refund the tickets for the games, which were played in front of the empty stands.

Ehsan Mani talks about the importance of the PSL

“Of course, the future of the PSL is critical to the PCB and the franchisees and, as such, there was a continued commitment to make it a bigger, better and stronger brand,” PCB chief Ehsan Mani was quoted as saying in Sportskeeda.

“The PCB and the franchisees expressed determination that they will continue to work together to resolve all pending matters and ensure all parties continue to flourish and benefit from what is now one of biggest and most followed cricket leagues in the world,” he added.

The four teams, going into the playoffs have already been decided. Multan Sultans, led by Shan Masood, finished atop the points table with 14 points from 10 matches. Karachi Kings, Peshawar Zalmi and Lahore Qalandars are the other three teams to make their way into the second round.

In fact, it’s for the first time that the Qalandars, led by Sohail Akhtar, managed to get themselves up from the last position after ending as the cellar dwellers in the first four editions. Pakistan cricket is set to resume in the month of August with the tour of England.