Amid operational difficulties, PSL 6 delayed

The unanimous decision of PCB and franchise heads came out after a virtual meeting held among the representatives.

Earlier, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to hold the remaining 20 matches of PSL 6 in Abu Dhabi.

According to GNN, due to the strict COVID protocols in UAE and difficulties in carrying operational activities, the PSL 6 has been delayed.

Earlier, it was decided that the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 6 will be played in Abu Dhabi, which has been confirmed by the Emirates Cricket Board(ECB).

In this regard, Emirates Cricket Board had informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Sources said that an official announcement is expected soon from PCB as the board is currently reviewing all operational matters.

According to sources, the Emirates Cricket Board had received clearance from its government to hold the PSL.

Earlier, the players had started preparations for Pakistan Super League 6.

On the direction of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the first phase of COVID-19 testing of local players was started.

According to sources, most of the local cricketers have undergone the first Corona Test and will quarantine in their respective cities while PCB is waiting to get the NOC from the UAE.

According to sources, PCB rescheduled the matches to be completed by June 20.

Sources further said that the PCB officials are waiting for the Emirates Cricket Board to get the green signal from their government.

A 7-member PCB delegation was present in the UAE on Eid and both boards were hopeful that they will be granted permission.

PCB’s decision not to host the remainder of PSL in Karachi came out after a request from all the six franchises as well as advice from National Command and Operation Center (NCOC).

The PSL franchises had requested PCB to shift the remaining games of PSL outside of Karachi about the worsening situation of COVID-19.

Following the request to move PSL out of Pakistan, the PCB held an online meeting with all the teams discussing the financial implications of postponing the tournament. The PCB considered UAE as the best location for the remaining games of PSL 2021. UAE is the place where the first PSL held when international cricket was not being played in Pakistan.

Karachi was announced as the venue for the remainder of PSL and till the last week, the arrangements were made keeping in mind Karachi as a venue for the tournament. However, the decision was changed after PCB met with NCOC.

The NCOC informed the PCB that the situation of the pandemic is not going to get better in the country. There might be a subsequent rise in the coronavirus cases after Eid. Already a lockdown has been imposed in the country for a week from May 8 to May 15.

The chief executive of PCB said, "While the UAE has emerged as a preferred venue, several challenges remain, which will be worked through over the coming days. We remain committed to doing everything possible to complete the HBL PSL 6."

The 2021 edition of the PSL was suspended after 14 games - played between February 20 and March 3, all in Karachi. 

The tournament was hindered due to an outbreak of cases among players and PSL staff.

It may be recalled that PSL 2021 started on February 20 in Karachi and the matches of the event were scheduled this time in two cities of the country, Karachi and Lahore.

However, on March 4, after 7 players and other staff came to light, It was decided to postpone.

Due to the coronavirus, the opening ceremony of the event was also recorded this time, while the permission of the spectators was initially up to 20%, which was later increased to 50% depending on the situation.

14 matches of PSL 2021 have been played while PCB had announced to hold the remaining 20 matches in June last month.

Earlier, The schedule for the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) edition six has been finalized. The matches will start from June 01 while the final will be played on June 20.

As per details, teams will be quarantined for 7 days from May 22 to 28 while the practice sessions will be held from May 29 to 31.

A total of 20 matches are now remaining including the playoffs and the finals of the tournament.

Earlier, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on March 4 announced the postponement of the PSL amidst a surge in coronavirus cases.

Here is a timeline of how events came to a head.

February 19

A day before the start of the sixth season, a player from Lahore Qalandars tested positive for Covid-19 and displayed symptoms.

February 19

One night before the opening match, Peshawar Zalmi coach Daren Sammy and captain Wahab Riaz breached the bio-secure bubble in place for all teams in Karachi hotel by meeting with their franchise owner Javed Afridi, who was not part of the bubble. The pair was told to go into a three-day quarantine and must return two negative tests before they can return to the team.

February 21

After Zalmi file an appeal with the PSL's event committee for a concession, Sammy and Wahab were allowed to reintegrate with the squad, despite not having served the three-day quarantine period. The pair returned two negative tests within 48 hours. The results of the second test arrived in the morning, delaying Peshawar's departure for the stadium. Riaz later lead his side to a loss against Qalandars, with Sammy in the dugout.

March 1

The game between Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators was first delayed and then postponed to the following day after Fawad Ahmed returns a positive test.

March 2

All players and officials underwent PCR tests. The rescheduled game moved ahead and the PCB said it will not conduct testing every fourth day, instead of weekly as previously planned.

March 2

Two more players - including Tom Banton - and one support-staff member returned positive tests. The PCB held a meeting with franchises to reassure them and reiterates its message that players must stick to the protocols. The board said it was happy that their bubble protocols are secure, although it does acknowledge "life in a bubble is very difficult and managing it is also very tough. This is happening in other different sports in the world - NFL, NHL, Formula 1 or Australian Open - breaches do happen but that doesn't mean the bubble is weak or there are loopholes."

March 3

Franchise owners and the league's management held a meeting to chart a way forward for the league after the positive tests. One option discussed was to forego the Lahore leg and play out the entire season in Karachi. At least two franchises raised strong objections to that idea. The PCB also announced that it will offer vaccines to all players and officials.

March 4

Three more players tested positive, and news came that Australian Dan Christian is leaving the tournament due to the COVID-19 cases. Soon after, the PCB said it is postponing the league with immediate effect. The board said the new cases were not from any of the teams who played in Wednesday's double-header matches, which ruled out players from Karachi Kings, Peshawar Zalmi, Multan Sultans or Quetta Gladiators.

March 11

Pakistan Super League 6, which was suspended in the wake of a spate of Covid-19 cases among players and support staff, will resume once again in June. The PCB and the various franchises got together for a (virtual) meeting that is understood to have taken an hour long and in the end all parties were happy to restart the season in Karachi