PSL 2021: Haider Ali And Umaid Asif Suspended From Thursday's Final For Breaching Bio-Bubble Protocols

In a blow to the Peshawar Zalmi, their pacer Umaid Asif along with batsman Haider Ali stand suspended by the PCB from the PSL 2021 final against Multan Sultans on Thursday, June 24, in Abu Dhabi. The suspension comes because both the players flouted the bio-bubble protocols of the tournament.

PCB revealed that Haider Ali and Umaid Asif met people from outside their designated bio-secure bubble and also failed to maintain the social distancing. Both the cricketers have admitted to charges of violating the PSL 6 Health and Safety Protocols.

The incident happened on Wednesday and the decision was made early on Thursday by the Tournament Covid-19 Management panel comprising Barrister Salman Naseer (PCB, Chief Operating Officer) and Mr Babar Hamid (Director – Commercial, and HBL PSL 6 head).

The release from the board disclosed that both the players haven’t interacted with any other squad members at any time after the incident, and have been placed in room isolation.

While Haider Ali was dropped from the Peshawar Zalmi eleven a match before the playoffs, Umaid Asif has been in good form with the ball. He has taken 4 wickets in the last couple of matches – Eliminator 1 versus Karachi Kings and Eliminator 2 versus Islamabad United – but is now set to miss the final.

Haider Ali dropped from Pakistan’s tour to England and West Indies; Sohaib Maqsood called up

To make matter worse for Haider Ali, he has now also been dropped from Pakistan’s upcoming tour of England and West Indies tours. Babar Azam will lead the side in 3 ODIs, 8 T20Is, and 2 Tests on the tour but the squad will be without the 20-year-old Haider Ali. Sohaib Maqsood, who is in a good form for the Sultans has been named as Haider Ali’s replacement for the tour.

“Chair of the Selectors Muhammad Wasim, in consultation with captain Babar Azam and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq has named Sohaib Maqsood as Haider Ali’s replacement for the two tours on which the Pakistan men’s national cricket team will play three ODIs and eight T20Is, apart from two Tests in Jamaica,” the PCB said in a released statement. 

Until before the final, Maqsood is the third leading run-scorer in the tournament having scored 363 runs in 11 matches with an average of 40.33 and strike rate of just under 152.52 and has whacked 4 fifties so far. The right-hander has represented Pakistan in 26 ODIs and 20 T20Is, with his last international appearance being in January 2016.

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