PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer said that the PSL-7 would be rescheduled if Covid-19 cases continue to rise.
The PSL-7 matches will start on 27 January and all the matches will be played in Karachi and Lahore till 27 February. The first phase of the league will be played in Karachi where the Covid-19 positive case ratio was more than 50% on Friday [21 January].
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Speaking to media after signing the agreement with Daraz, the official live streaming partner for the league, Naseer said that Coronavirus is making an impact all over the world. “We have made all arrangements to protect the league from the Covid-19,” Naseer told media. He said that the PCB is trying to hold PSL without any interruption. “There are also backup of players, production crew and staff. Chartered plan has also been arranged for the players movement between the two cities,” Naseer said.
However, he said, if the Covid-19 cases continue to rise, the league would be postponed as per the plan. He informed that preparations have been made to hold the event again after a gap of one week.
The players of Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United have started entry into the bio-secure bubble after their arrival to the port city. Foreign players will reach Karachi from 21 January. All players and staff will spend 3 days in mandatory quarantine. Staff of Sindh Health Department will also stay in the hotel with the players. The player will be allowed net practice from January 24.
The National Command and Operations Center (NCOC) has said that only 25% spectators would be allowed to enter the stadium during the first phase of the league. Thus, for the matches in Karachi, 8000 spectators will be allowed to enter the National Stadium. However, for the health and safety of all spectators, strict coronavirus protocols have been laid down for entry into the stadium.
“The PSB needs spectators’ unconditional support so that they can enjoy the matches in a safe environment,” Naseer said.