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Pakistan’s Cricket Commission says COVID-19’s “strong” health and safety protocols are in place ahead of Karachi and Lahore’s Twenty20 internal competition, with several foreign cricketers taking part in a six-team event.
“In today’s environment, all international sporting events are moving forward because there is more awareness and information about the pandemic,” said PCB President Ramiz Raja. The Associated Press On the eve of the Pakistan Super League.
Karachi will start the first leg of the tournament on Thursday before the league moves to Lahore on February 10th. Lahore will also host the playoffs and finals on February 27th.
Last year, PSL was postponed in March after six players tested positive for COVID-19 in a biosafety bubble, and the league moved to Abu Dhabi in June. PCB has hired the same company for the seventh edition of its marquee event, which successfully created biosecurity arrangements in Abu Dhabi last year.
“Strong protocols”
“The PCB, despite playing 267 games in 10 home events in 2021, doesn’t take anything for granted,” Raja said. “We have designed and implemented strong health and safety protocols for the well-being of all participants (PSL).”
The virus has already raised concerns about the first match between champion Multan Sultans and the Karachi Kings before starting at the National Stadium on Thursday. At least three players, including Peshawar Zalmi’s batsman Kamran Akmal, and five support staff tested positive when the team started meeting in Karachin last Saturday.
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The tournament’s technical committee has made it possible for Peshawar to join Pakistan’s international Imam-ul-Haq as a replacement for Akmal.
The rise in positive COVID-19 cases in Karachi has forced authorities to impose blockades in high-risk areas. The government initially allowed full crowds in the PSL, but due to the rise in positive cases, now only 25 per cent of the spectators will enter the stadium, which means that around 8,000 fans will be able to attend.
Thirteen players are required on each side
Pakistan has reported 1,381,152 cases and 29,122 deaths since the pandemic began in 2020 due to coronavirus.
Unlike the last two seasons when PSL was played in two parts, PCB has no plans to postpone or cancel the event this year if there are COVID-19 appearances among the players. After a week-long break, the league is set to restart with a resumption of the bio-bubble from scratch.
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Although there are 20 players in the six teams, in the event of an outbreak, the matches may be brought forward if 13 players are available on each side.
They are preparing for the PSL at the Karachi National Stadium on Tuesday. – AP
Despite the threat of the virus surrounding PSL, Raja sees the presence of foreign players as a positive aspect for Pakistan, which will host four major countries this year, including Australia, for the first time in Pakistan since 1998.
“Competitive, challenging”
Johnson of the West Indies Charles Charles, Colin Munro of New Zealand, Rilee Rossouw of South Africa and Chris Jordan and Alex Hales of England are some of the foreign cricketers who will play in the PSL. The PSL has seen several Pakistani cricketers in the years leading up to the international stage with bowlers like Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali and Shahnawaz Dahani. And Raja is watching the level of close competition between the six franchises grow.
“PSL has strengthened its reputation and profile as one of the most competitive and challenging leagues, which makes it exciting to continue locally and internationally,” he said.
Pakistan won three major ICC awards last week Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan The 2021 ODI and T20 cricketers were voted on, respectively, and won the prestigious Shaheen Afridi Cricket Player of the Year award.
All three will lead PSL teams with captain Babar Karachi Kings, Rizwan will defend the title with Multan leaders, and Shaheen Lahore has been named Qalandars skipper.
Shallab Khan and Quetta Gladiators, led by the legendary Shahid Afridi, will be led by former Pakistani skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed.
Opening hours (Karachi leg)
- 1. Karachi Kings v Multan Sultans – January 27
- 2. Quetta Gladiators v Peshawar Zalmi – January 28
- 3. Multan Sultans v Lahore Qalandars – January 29
- 4. Karachi Kings v Quetta Gladiators – January 29
- 5. Peshawar Zalmi v Islamabad United – January 30
- 6. Karachi Kings v Lahore Qalandars – January 30
- 7. Quetta Gladiators v Multan Sultans – January 31st
- 8. Islamabad United v Multan Sultans – February 1
- 9. Peshawar Zalmi v Lahore Qalandars – February 2
- 10. Quetta Gladiators v Islamabad United – February 3
- 11. Karachi Kings v Peshawar Zalmi – February 4
- 12. Islamabad United v Lahore Qalandars – February 5
- 13. Peshawar Zalmi v Multan Sultans – February 5.
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