The remaining 20 games of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021 are all set to be held in Abu Dhabi next month as PCB got the necessary approval from UAE authorities to land its chartered flights from Mumbai and Johannesburg, carrying members of the broadcasting crew, players and officials.
While PCB received all outstanding approvals and exemptions from UAE government last week to conduct the PSL 2021 in Abu Dhabi, the staging of the tournament was under threat till Thursday (May 27) with UAE authorities not giving a green signal for the landing of chartered flights from India and South Africa.
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“The Abu Dhabi sports council has now written a letter to its immigration authority to allow the landing of the chartered flights from Mumbai and Johannesburg,” a PCB official said, as quoted by PTI.
He further added that after the clearance, chartered flights will be allowed to fly for Abu Dhabi.
The PCB also had to face a long delay in acquiring visas for the Indian, South African broadcasting crew members and finally received visas for them on May 27.
Notably, two chartered flights carrying around 250 players, officials, PCB employees and official broadcasters and their staff landed in Abu Dhabi from Karachi and Lahore on Thursday.
“The players, officials and other stakeholders have already entered quarantine at their hotels so now the PCB is in a position to announce the fresh schedule of the remaining 20 matches of the PSL,” the official said.
According to the official, there shouldn’t be any obstacle in organizing the league in Abu Dhabi.
“We are still awaiting some 20 visas for some players and officials of some franchises and we will get them tonight and they will also leave by tomorrow on a chartered flight.”
Those still awaiting visas include former Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed, who leads the Quetta Gladiators franchise and some other cricketers as well.
The 6th edition of Pakistan Super League was postponed in March due to positive COVID-19 cases in bio-bubbles.
(With PTI inputs)
