Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the franchises are looking for a new window to complete the remaining matches of the PSL 2021. The Pakistan Super League (PSL 2021) 6 was indefinitely postponed mid-way into the tournament after several cricketers tested positive for COVID-19.
There were many breaches of bio-bubble reported with big names like Daren Sammy and Wahab Riaz breaking bio-secure protocols to meet Javed Afridi, owner of their franchise Peshawar Zalmi. Apart from this, cricketers were reportedly mingling with fans and patrons who had booked the hotel where the teams stayed for weddings and other functions.
Franchise And PCN Agree On June Window For The Completion Of PSL 2021
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to conduct the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League 2021 in June, which emerged as the most viable time period, given Pakistan men’s national cricket team’s international commitments in March/April and late August/September.
Earlier, the PCB was looking to hold the remaining matches of the PSL 2021 in May month, but the idea was reportedly dropped due to a clash with the IPL 2021 season which ends on May 30. Also, the remaining matches of the PSL 2021 will be played in Karachi only in a strict bio-secure environment.
“This was unanimously agreed by the six franchise owners and the PCB in a virtual meeting held on Thursday afternoon and after taking into consideration all factors relating to event organisation,” PCB said in a statement.
“The remaining 20 matches in June are now being planned following the men’s national cricket team’s return from Zimbabwe on May 13 and before their departure for England on June 26. The PCB management will now look into the operational and logistical challenges and revert to the franchise owners and stakeholders,” the statement read.
On Sunday, PCB had named an independent fact-finding panel with Dr. Syed Faisal Mahmood and Dr. Salma Muhammad Abbas as members who will review the bio-secure protocols that were put in place during the PSL. The board had said the independent panel will submit its findings and recommendations to PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani by March 31.