Pakistan Super League to resume in Abu Dhabi on June 9, final on June 24

Mohammad Abdullah, Staff Reporter

The remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will resume from June 9-24 in Abu Dhabi, it was announced by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in statement on their website on Thursday.

The sixth edition of the PSL came to an abrupt halt after the breach of safety bubble led to the coronavirus cases during the tournament, which was being played in Pakistan across many venues in March.

Due to the logistical problems and high Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) in Abu Dhabi, the resumption of PSL was delayed.

It was supposed to begin in the first week of June, due to some logistical problem in the wake of commercial-flight ban from the sub-continent the start was further postponed by a few days. Players were ferried from different parts of the world via chartered flights.

Other factors that added to the delay was the visa issuance for the players and crew members and strict isolation rules.

But after meeting out the requirement of the UAE government, it was unanimously decided by the PCB and the franchises to give the final push to complete the remaining matches of the country’s biggest cricket league.

PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan was full of adulation for everyone involved in getting the tourney resumed.

“We are grateful and thankful for the support and backing we have received from the UAE and Pakistan governments,” said Wasim.

“I would like to thank the England and Wales Cricket Board for their flexibility, the Emirates Cricket Board, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, as well as all the franchise owners for backing our approach and supporting our decision-making.

“In addition, the players, fans and officials have remained patient with us during the last two weeks and for that I offer my thanks,” he added.

PCB requested the England and Wales Cricket Board to allow them tweak their departure dates which has been changed from June 23 to June 25.

“Since its inception in 2016, the PSL has embraced and overcome numerous challenges, only to emerge as a stronger and competitive league year-on-year” said Wasim.

“I am pleased that we have continued to take decisive actions in the face of ongoing pressures and major challenges outside of our control over the last 10 days,” added the PCB chief.

“Everyone has worked tirelessly to find solutions and way forward, and I am delighted that we are now in a position to announce the complete schedule,” apprised Wasim.

There will be six double-headers - five of them during the preliminary round and the sixth on 21 June, when Qualifier and Eliminator 1 matches will be played as per the fixtures released by the board on the website.

On 9 June, fourth-placed Lahore Qalandars will meet third-placed Islamabad United in the 15th match of the tournament to get the second leg of the tourney under way.

When the tournament was stopped after the breakout of COVID-19, Karachi Kings were at the top of the table with six points.

Aref Al Awani, General Secretary, Abu Dhabi Sports Council: “The hosting of the PSL 6 is a great promotional boost for Abu Dhabi and its exceptional sporting facilities and expertise.

“Our long and excellent relationship with the PCB and Ehsan Mani led to this development, which has won our government’s support with all the necessary exemptions and approvals,” he added.

“On behalf of everyone at Abu Dhabi Cricket and Abu Dhabi Sports Council, let me welcome all competitors and wish them the very best of luck.

Khalid Al Zarooni, Vice Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board said: “ECB is pleased to once again host the PSL matches in UAE as this is the place where PSL was launched six years ago.”

The first edition of PSL was played in the UAE in 2016. As no team and international players were ready to travel to Pakistan after a terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka cricket team bus in 2009.

Pakistan played all their homes series and PSL matches in the UAE for the next ten years before taking the game back to their country gradually through PSL only.