The Pakistan Cricket Board on Friday decided to reduce the duration of Pakistan Super League by four days and hold the matches in Lahore, including the final, without spectators as the possibility of the event being called off due to the coronavirus threat loomed large.
The PCB said in a press release said that the remainingmatches in Lahore, including the semi-finals and final, would be held behindclosed doors on the advice of the Punjab government. The PSL matches on Fridaywere being held in empty stadiums.
The Board also said instead of the play-offs, the top fourteams will now play semi-finals and then the final on March 17 and 18. Thefinal was originally scheduled to be held on March 22.
The PCB said the league will move from Karachi to Lahore forthe semifinals and final.
“The remaining matches in Karachi will be held as perearlier decision without crowds and only accredited personnel would be allowedinside the stadium,” the Board said.
The decision came hours after the PCB said that the PSL willcontinue on schedule despite several overseas players preferring to leave forhome immediately due to the coronavirus threat.
The PCB said in a statement that it had given the option toall foreign players and support staff to withdraw from the tournament if theywant to and franchises can replace them with local players and officials.
The Board confirmed that to date England’s Alex Hales, JasonRoy, Tymal Mills, Liam Dawson, Liam Livingstone, Lewis Gregory and James Vince,West Indian Carlos Braithwaite and South African Rilee Roussouw and JamesFoster (coach) will be returning home from the PSL.
It said it was monitoring the situation closely with theconcerned agencies and so far no player or official has tested positive for thedreaded virus in the league.
PCB CEO Wasim Khan confirmed all issues were discussed withthe team owners on Friday before allowing foreign players and support staff togo home.
“What is paramount is: we are giving options to all theplayers and support personnel to withdraw from the league if they want to asensuring they feel comfortable remains top priority of the PCB,” Khansaid.
“As of now it is important to emphasise and clarifythat the main concern of many of the 10 players and coach (who are returninghome) revolves around avoiding a potential situation where they might becomestranded due to flight cancellations or border closures in their owncountries,” he said.”We willcontinue to assess and review the situation. And will not hesitate to make whatwe believe are the right decisions for everyone involved,” Khan added.