PSL 7 to start in ‘strong’ COVID deal

The Pakistan Cricket Board says “robust” COVID-19 health and safety protocols are in place ahead of the month-long domestic Twenty20 matches in Karachi and Lahore, with several foreign cricketers taking part in six teams the match of.

“In today’s environment, all international sporting events are taking place as there is more awareness and information about the pandemic,” said PCB chairman Ramiz Raja. Associated Press The eve of the Pakistan Super League.

Karachi will host the first leg on Thursday before the league moves to Lahore on February 10. Lahore will also host the playoffs and final on February 27.

Last year, the PSL was postponed in March and the league moved to Abu Dhabi in June after six players tested positive for COVID-19 in a biosecurity bubble. PCB has hired the same company for its seventh major event, which successfully created a biosecurity arrangement in Abu Dhabi last year.

‘Strong protocol’

“While PCB has completed 267 races in 10 domestic events in 2021, it has not taken anything for granted,” Raja said. “We have designed and implemented robust health and safety protocols for the well-being of all (PSL) participants.”

The virus was already in the spotlight ahead of the first match between defending champions Multan Sultan and Karachi Kings kicking off Thursday at the National Stadium. At least three players, including Peshawar Zalmi’s wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal and five support staff, tested positive when the team began to assemble in Karachi last Saturday.

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The technical committee of the match allowed Peshawar to include Pakistan international Imam Ur Haq as Akmal’s replacement.

A surge in positive COVID-19 cases in Karachi has forced authorities to impose a lockdown in high-risk areas. The government initially allowed large spectators at the PSL, but due to a surge in positive cases, only 25% of spectators are now allowed into the stadium, meaning around 8,000 fans will be allowed to attend.

Thirteen players are required for each side

Pakistan has reported 1,381,152 cases and 29,122 coronavirus deaths since the start of the pandemic in 2020.

Unlike the last two seasons where the PSL has played two rounds, the PCB has no plans to postpone or cancel this year’s event in case of a COVID-19 outbreak among players. As planned, the league will resume after a one-week break, resetting the bio-bubble from scratch.

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While each of the six teams has 20 players, in the event of any outbreak, games are allowed to continue if both sides have 13 players.

Despite the virus threat around PSL, Raja sees the presence of foreign players as a positive for Pakistan, which will host four major nations this year, including Australia, which will host the country for the first time since 1998.

‘Competitive and challenging’

Johnson Charles of the West Indies, Colin Munro of New Zealand, Riley Rosso of South Africa and Chris Jordan and Alex Hales of England are all foreign cricketers who will play in the PSL. Over the years, PSL has seen several Pakistani cricketers emerge internationally, including bowlers such as Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali and Shahnawaz Dahani. Raja believes the level of intense competition between the six franchises will grow.

“As one of the most competitive and challenging leagues, the PSL has strengthened its reputation and profile, which makes it exciting to follow it locally and internationally,” he said.

Pakistan won three major ICC awards last week Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan Chosen as the 2021 ODI and T20 Cricketer respectively, Shaheen Afridi received the prestigious Sir Garfield Cricketer of the Year award.

All three will lead their teams in the PSL, with Babar captaining the Karachi Kings, Rizwan leading Multan to the title defense and Shaheen being named captain of the Lahore Qalandars.

Islamabad United will be led by Shadab Khan and Quetta Gladiators – for whom the legendary Shahid Afridi will play – and will be captained by former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed.