The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that the ongoing sixth edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been postponed due to several positive COVID-19 cases. As per reports, seven PSL players and one of the support staff have been tested positive for the lethal virus. The authorities are now questioning PCB’s bio-secure bubble protocols about the foreign players.

PSL official announcement

PSL released an official statement stating:

“Following a meeting with the team owners and considering the health and wellbeing of all participants is paramount, the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to postpone the HBL Pakistan Super League 6 with immediate effect. The decision was made after seven cases were reported in the competition, which had started on 20 February. The PCB, as an immediate step, will focus on the safe and secure passage of all participants, and arrange repeat PCR tests, vaccines and isolation facilities to the six participating sides. PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan, Director – Commercial Babar Hamid, will hold a media conference at the National Stadium at 3 pm to provide further updates. Due to limited space in the press conference room, TV camerapersons are not allowed and the press conference will be live-streamed on the PCB YouTube Channel.”


Pakistan Super League 6: What is the cause behind the postpone?

The report further suggests that Quetta Gladiators’ Tom Banton and Islamabad United’s Lewis Gregory and Fawad Ahmed were among the players who tested positive. The reports also stated that players took the bio-bubble protocols lightly in the later stage of the tournament.

As reported, Peshawar Zalmi’s Head Coach Daren Sammy and captain Wahab Riaz rejoined the rest of the squad without following the allotted bio-secure protocols. Peshawar Zalmi’s whole squad refused to take the field against Lahore Qalandars without their coach and skipper. The PSL authorities were forced to allow Sammy and Riaz back into the squad.

The families of PSL players joined the bubble without completing the fixed tenure in quarantine. The families and players also refused to undergo proper COVID-19 tests. They were also spotted meeting the players in the stands at the National Stadium in Karachi.