PCB approaches Emirates Cricket Board after franchises urge board to stage remainder of PSL 2021 in UAE
The venue and dates of the remaining matches of PSL 2021 will depend on the coronavirus situation in Pakistan, which has seen massive surge in Covid-19 cases in the country over the last couple of months.
In Short
- PSL 2021 was postponed in March after 7 cases of Covid-19 breached the bio-bubble
- The tournament was set to resume on June 1 with the final scheduled for June 20
- Only 14 matches were played between February 20 and March 3 before the T20 league was postponed
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday formally approached the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) to stage the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
PSL six was postponed in March after a number of bio-bubbles breaches and 7 positive COVID-19 cases. The tournament was set to resume on June 1 with the final scheduled for June 20 but the dates and venue for the rest of the games are likely to change depending on the coronavirus situation.
As per the original plan, all teams were to assemble in Karachi by May 23 and begin their mandatory seven-day quarantine before playing the remaining 16 league games from June 2 but that schedule won't be followed any more after the 6 franchises requested the PCB to restart the tournament in the UAE, which also hosted the IPL last year amid the Covid pandemic.
Pakistan's National Command Operation Centre (NCOC) has also asked the board to avoid playing in Karachi because of the worsening Covid-19 situation in the country.
"We had an interactive and productive meeting in which we considered a number of factors. While the UAE has emerged as a preferred venue, a number of challenges remain, which will be worked through over the coming days.
"We remain committed to doing everything possible to complete the HBL PSL 6," said Wasim Khan, the PCB chief executive.
"The PCB will carry out a detailed financial and risk assessment as well as cost analysis before reporting back to the franchises, who will then review before a decision on the event venue is confirmed," the PCB said.
The whole season of the Pakistan Super League was being held in Pakistan for the first time ever this year. Only 14 PSL 6 fixtures were played between February 20 and March 3 before the T20 league was postponed due to the surge in coronavirus cases.