PSL 6: Pakistan Cricket Board Postpones The Tournament Indefinitely Over Operational Challenges

The cricketing fraternity’s hopes of watching the 2021 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has crumbled as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has postponed the tournament indefinitely. This year’s tournament came to an abrupt end due to a handful of COVID-19 positive cases emerging within the bio-bubble. The PCB cited the operational problems as the reason for its postponement.

Only 14 matches of the sixth season of the PSL was possible before the PCB postponed the tournament indefinitely. Notably, the board summoned a meeting today with all the franchises to take a decision regarding the remaining fixtures of the competition. The authorities contemplated shifting it to the UAE due to the virus outbreak and they were equally positive of getting consent to do so.

In a collective letter to the PCB, all six franchises requested for moving the competition to the UAE, keeping in mind the security of all the stakeholders. Nevertheless, a pre-requisite laid out by the UAE government was to ensure that every stakeholder involved in the league have to be vaccinated against COVID-19. It was always going to be a problem since for every team and broadcast member from all around the world, the vaccination roll-out stages or campaigns vary.  Another significant challenge is that of tackling the travel arrangements with various restrictions in place in the UAE for flights from several countries.

We remain committed to doing everything possible to complete the HBL PSL 6: Wasim Khan

Earlier, PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan claimed that there are enormous challenges to be worked through over the coming days as they rely on the UAE to complete the 2021 edition. Khan announced that the board will carry out a detailed financial and risk assessment, along with cost analysis, before reporting to the franchises and confirming the venue of the event.

“We had an interactive and productive meeting in which we considered a number of factors. While the UAE has emerged as a preferred venue, a number of challenges remain, which will be worked through over the coming days. We remain committed to doing everything possible to complete the HBL PSL 6. The PCB will carry out a detailed financial and risk assessment as well as cost analysis before reporting back to the franchises, who will then review before a decision on the event venue is confirmed,” Khan earlier remarked.

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