Naseem Shah's Expulsion A Stern Message To All Members Of PSL 2021: PCB

Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) director commercial and the head of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Babar Hamid has said that the governing body’s decision to expel young pacer, Naseem Shah, for bringing Covid RT-PCR report is a stern message to all the participants that the board will not tolerate the breach of Covid related protocols.

Pakistan and Quetta Gladiators pacer Naseem Shah was expelled from the remainder of PSL 2021 which is scheduled to restart in the United Arab Emirates next month.

Ahead of the players’ departure to Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, the PCB had asked all the participants to produce a negative RT-PCR test taken not more than 48 hours prior to their arrival in the team hotel.

Shah, however, brought the rep0rt of a test taken on May 18. The PCB immediately isolated the pacer on a different floor before releasing him from the hotel following a decision made by a three-member independent medical advisory panel of the PSL.

In a statement released on the behalf of the PCB, Babar Hamid said that while the board doesn’t take any pride in releasing a young cricketer, it cannot jeopardize the entire tournament by ignoring the breach.

He also said that Naseem Shah’s expulsion will serve as a warning to all cricketers and support staff members involved in the tournament.

”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,” PCB’s director commercial Babar Hamid said in a statement.

”The 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,” he added.

While the players from all six franchises will be leaving for Abu Dhabi on Wednesday (May 27), the PCB is yet to announce the schedule for the second phase of the 6th edition, which was suspended earlier this year due to multiple bio-bubble breaches.

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