PSL 2020: No change in Karachi PSL schedule despite coronavirus threat in Pakistan

Pakistan is reportedly hiding the number of coronavirus cases.

Coronavirus is creating panic around the world that has already affected more than 60 countries of the world and now the disease outbreak in the sub-continent – India, and Pakistan as well.

The deadly virus has been affecting sports around the world and now the coronavirus threat looms over the cricket with the rapid spread of a novel coronavirus in the Asian countries.

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While India identified 29 coronavirus cases till Thursday morning (March 5), Pakistan has confirmed only four or five cases of this disease and it is being said that the Asian country is hiding the number of coronavirus cases because of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020.

The reports suggested that only five persons or 2.23 percent of the total of 224 suspected patients were tested for coronavirus in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the ongoing fifth edition of the PSL 2020 – which is completely played in the country for the first time, resulting in the large crowd going into the stadium – where the coronavirus could spread quickly could be affected by the fast-spreading novel coronavirus.

As all educational institutions in Sindh were instructed by the government to remain closed till March 13, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) isn’t reportedly agreed to follow any instructions by government despite the Pakistan government has already warned the PCB and instructed them to install the thermal scanner at the gate of the stadium for the PSL 2020 matches.

However, after the Sindh cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the PCB agreed that all the remaining five PSL 2020 games in Karachi would proceed according to instructions to control the disease.

Dr. Zafar Mirza, a special assistant to the Prime Minister of Health, said: “Our simple policy is working so far, it is working well and it needs to be further strengthened. We need to prepare ourselves for a worst-case scenario but we should hope for the best.”

Noteworthy, no foreign players have expressed any concern over the virus so far, but the teams have been exercising caution in the ongoing tournament in Pakistan.

(With ESPNcricinfo Inputs)