PCB knuckles down to work as franchises await clarification

Mohammad Abdullah, Staff Reporter

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is optimistic but will take final decision on Thursday for hosting the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the UAE.

The tournament was suspended in mid-March following the outbreak of the coronavirus cases in the bio-secure bubble.

“PCB and the six franchise owners on Wednesday discussed in a virtual session the operational planning and delivery of the remaining 20 HBL Pakistan Super League matches, which are scheduled to be held in the UAE from 1-20 June,” said PCB in a statement on their website.

“Following detailed discussions in which all potential scenarios were reviewed and analyzed, it was unanimously agreed to wait until the close of business on Thursday (UAE time) before a final decision on the hosting of the remaining matches is made,” read the statement further.

The PCB informed that they had got an affirmative reply from the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) for going ahead with the remaining matches in the UAE but still there are some points needed to be clarified.

PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said: “In today’s online discussion, we updated the team owners that the PCB had been advised that the PSL had received approvals from the relevant authorities in the UAE.

“However, some clarifications on certain exemption requests are still awaited, which are expected at some stage on Thursday.” “The team owners agreed that if they do not receive clarity by Thursday afternoon, then they’ll have no other option but to request postponement of the remaining 20 matches,” added Khan.

Earlier, PCB had planned to host the remaining matches from June 1-20.

After the clarification comes on the pending issue, a lot of logistical work is to be done to bring in the players, coaching staff and broadcasters.

One of the conditions laid down by the host is to get all everybody vaccinated before landing in the UAE.

“In the meantime, we will continue to liaise with the UAE government and the ECB as they are equally keen for the event to be held in the UAE,” he informed.

The discussion for the resumption of the remaining PSL matches in the UAE is under way since before the Eid holidays.