Naseem Shah Allowed To Rejoin PSL Bubble Despite COVID-19 Protocol Breach
Published - 28 May 2021, 12:05 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:47 AM
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made a surprising U-turn as it has now allowed pacer Naseem Shah to re-enter the PSL 2021 bio-bubble just three days after releasing him owing to a breach of covid-19 regulation by the seamer.
Naseem Shah, who represents Quetta Gladiators, was set to miss out from the remainder of the PSL 2021, which will now be held in the UAE after his negative covid-19 report was not accepted.
He had initially arrived in a Lahore hotel on May 24 with a negative Covid-19 test. But there problem with that. As per the Covid-19 protocols, all those travelling through chartered flights from Karachi and Lahore were told to assemble at the team hotels with negative reports of tests taken not more than 48 hours prior.
PCB makes a U-turn by allowing Naseem Shah to re-join PSL bubble
Despite being away for three days, following his release, the PCB has now granted permission to the pacer to join the bubble following a meeting between the PCB and the PSL franchises. This compromise by the board comes in after an official had clearly stated that they will make no compromise for anyone.
At that time Babar Hamid, the director and commercial head of PSL 6, had said: “The PCB doesn’t take any pride in releasing a young fast bowler from its marquee event but if we will ignore this breach, then we will potentially put at risk the entire event,” he said. “We appreciate Quetta Gladiators for accepting this decision as it confirms we are all aligned to strictly following and implementing the protocols.
“This decision will also send out a loud and clear message to all involved in the remaining matches that the PCB will not compromise on any violations and will expel the player or player support personnel irrespective of his stature and standing in the game if they are found to be flouting the prescribed protocols or regulations.”
Nassem Shah was immediately placed in isolation before flying to Abu Dhabi. Already 202 people have flown by the first flight on Thursday. The pacer now will be just needed to clear a pre-isolation Covid-19 test, and then return back-to-back negative tests, which will give render him fit to board the flight to Abu Dhabi.
The league which was suspended in early March is expected to resume on June 5, with the final due to take place on June 20.
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