PSL 2020: PCB suffers further setback with more foreign players pulling out of playoffs

PSL 2020 playoffs are due to be held in Karachi on November 14, 15 and 17.

Sammy was seen leading Peshawar Zalmi earlier this year | GettyPakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suffered latest setback in reorganising the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020 playoffs, with more overseas players opting out of the fixtures due to travel restrictions amid COVID-19 pandemic. 

For the first time since the league's launch back in 2016, former West Indies captain, Daren Sammy, won't be available for his PSL franchise. Sammy, the Peshawar Zalmi captain, will not be flying across from the Caribbean this time due to the complications borne out of the viral outbreak. 

Read Also: Joe Denly set to replace James Vince at Multan Sultans for the playoffs

The other noticeable absentee will be New Zealand quick, Mitchell McClenaghan, who has also pulled out due to his country's travel guidelines. The Karachi Kings left-arm pacer won't take part in the playoffs and the final to be played on November 14, 15 and 17. 

A source near the developments told PTI, "the franchises were facing difficulties in finding replacements due to the problems posed by travel restrictions."

Apart from Zalmi and Kings, Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans are also part of the yet unconcluded race. The four teams have already lost the services of some of the English players as the playoffs coincide with the build-up to the limited-overs series in South Africa. England's James Vince and Mahmudullah from Bangladesh had ruled themselves out after testing COVID-19 positive. 

One more positive case has been confirmed by the PCB, which has already shifted the player into an isolation room at the team hotel. Thankfully, this cricketer's teammates were all tested negative. 

(Inputs from PTI)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 12 Nov, 2020

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