Franchises want PCB to move remainder of PSL 2021 to UAE from Karachi

PSL 2021 was suspended in March due to breach in bio-bubbles.

By Jatin Sharma - 04 May, 2021

All six Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises have asked the PCB to move the remaining games of the rescheduled PSL 2021 edition, out of Karachi to the UAE because of a fresh surge in Covid-19 cases in Pakistan.

The PCB received a letter from the franchises and the board is believed to be considering the request and reviewing current plans.

The PSL 2021 was originally postponed after 14 games played between February 20 and March 3, all in Karachi - following an outbreak of cases among players and support staff.

As of now, the plan is for the teams to assemble in Karachi by May 23 to begin their mandatory seven-day quarantine, and action is scheduled to resume on June 2. Sixteen league-stage matches are slotted till June 14, with the playoffs taking place between June 16 and June 18, and the final on June 20.

IPL 2021: We didn't wish to compromise the safety of anyone involved- BCCI Secretary Jay Shah

The franchises have taken part in the replacement draft to plug holes in their line-ups because a number of overseas players would not be able to take part in the games on the new dates.

However, the PCB will have to consider a lot of things if the PSL 2021 is moved to UAE. Flights to the country from Pakistan are currently operating at a severely reduced frequency. And June is not a month in which top-level cricket is often played in the UAE, because of the oppressive heat at that time of the year.

PCB had received universal flak for initial suspension of the PSL 6, which happened after players willing breached the bio-bubbles for personal activities. Since then, PCB recruited a UK-based safety and technology company to establish a better biosecure bubble this time.

(ESPNCricinfo inputs)

By Jatin Sharma - 04 May, 2021

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