The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has impacted the entire globe and many sports events have been canceled because of the impacts and feat it caused to people living all around the world. Pakistan Cricket Board has made many decisions to counter the pandemic effects on PSL 2020 and many cricket fans do appreciate the efforts put up by PCB with regards to player’s health and safety concerns. PCB has today announced the news of PSL postponed which came today early this morning because of the possible COVID-19 case related to an overseas cricketer who participated in the PSL 2020.
Player Affected in PSL 2020
The Pakistani commentator named Ramiz Raja has given an interview to the local news channel that Alex Hales who is an English cricketer and currently in England has communicated to England Cricket Board and Pakistan Cricket Board that he is noticing some flu symptoms ever since he reached from Pakistan to England which might lead to COVID-19. However, it is to keep note that Alex Hales who played for Karachi Kings in Pakistan Super League has not been officially tested in England for Coronavirus but he is scheduled to be tested later today which will clear whether he is suffering from some normal flu or it’s something else.
PSL 2020 New Semi-Finals Schedule
Ever since the psl 2020 postponed news broke out there is a lot of concern among the cricket fans in Pakistan and all around the world that whether the PSL 2020 Semifinals will be played on a later date or the tournament will be completely canceled. PCB CEO Mr. Waseem Khan communicated to ESPNCricinfo that PCB is following the situation and has postponed PSL 2020 as a precautionary measure and they will wait until the final reports of an overseas player regarding the COVID-19 which is expected to come out tomorrow evening. If the situation gets improved in Pakistan and the world related to coronavirus than psl 2020 new schedule will be announced very soon and the matches are expected to be played in the coming week.
Some local Pakistan news channels broke the news that even PSL 2020 Semi-Finals do not get played till the 15th of April, 2020 then the Multan Sultans will be declared as CHAMPIONS of PSL 2020 because they have earned the highest points at the ground stage. We believe it would be a much wise decision if they announce Multan Sultans as winners of Pakistan Super League season five due to the pandemic the world is facing right now.
Sad to see the PSL end, but health and safety of all concerned is the key, esp those who are travelling back to their homes.Perhaps the decision could have been taken earlier, with regards to the trophy…well the table-topper should be handed the trophy? 😊 @MultanSultans
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) March 17, 2020
Shahid Afridi who is playing from Multan Sultans also has the same thoughts and he also believes that his franchise should be named as Winners of PSL 2020.
PSL 2020 COVID-19 Updates
Along with the psl 2020 postponed news, PCB has also announced that all the players and other officials of the four teams who have qualified for the semi-finals as well as all the employees of the broadcasting team and support team will undergo COVID-19 test from official testing kits which Pakistan has received from China a few days ago.
PCB reiterates NO player or support staff has tested positive for COVID-19 to date.
We urge all stakeholders to show responsibility and wait for official confirmations.
Factually incorrect messages will further compound what is already a complex global health and safety matter.
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 17, 2020
It can be frustrating to the sports lovers who were looking forward to the fantastic PSL 2020 event to come to an end in the same fantastic way as it started. PCB had also updated the PSL 2020 schedule just 2 days but the Alex Hales news has forced PCB to postpone the event on an immediate basis. The franchises of Pakistan Super League are still hopeful that the matches will be rescheduled on a later date and cricket fans will be able to see a team win the PSL 2020 title through gameplay.
But the latest sources says , PSL playoffs will likely happen in November 2020 is that true?