‘This is not the time to play cricket’ – Javed Miandad criticises the PCB over resumption of PSL 2021

Javed Miandad, the former Pakistan cricketer, has hit out at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the resumption of the 2021 Pakistan Super League (PSL) from June. Back in the month of March, the tournament came to a halt after a series of COVID-19 cases emerged. Recently, the PCB was in talks with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) regarding hosting the remaining matches in the UAE.

The PCB entered into the dialogue after the PSL franchises requested for the shift of the PSL matches from Karachi due to the rapid rise of coronavirus cases in the country. In the meantime, Miandad was clear cut in saying that Pakistan should focus more on protecting people rather than thinking about playing cricket.

They are risking the lives of several individuals: Javed Miandad

“This is not the time to play cricket, it is the time to save lives. In these times of crisis, we should be more focused on saving lives rather than playing cricket. The whole world has been affected by the coronavirus. India, where the world cup was supposed to take place, is also severely affected by the epidemic,” Miandad was quoted as saying by CricketPakistan.com.

“They are risking the lives of several individuals for their own financial gains. If it was in my hands, I would not take the big risk of organising the remaining PSL matches. If they hold this event and face problems, then who will be responsible?” he added.

In the meantime, it’s been learned that the 2021 PSL is unlikely to resume in the UAE in June after the UAE government announced a ban on travellers from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The restrictions will come into place from Wednesday, May 12.

“The PCB was expecting things to be finalised in next 24 hours due to the Eid holidays in both countries but now with this ban imposed by the UAE government till May 12, the only option available to the PCB is to hold the matches in Karachi,” a source said.

Sri Lanka is being thought of as one of the options for the completion of the PSL, but the PCB is also aware of the logistical and other challenges involved. As per a source, the Pakistan board is also wary of hosting the games in the country due to the situation last time.