COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the cricketing events with the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 being its recent victim.

The 14th edition of IPL was postponed indefinitely last month after multiple COVID-19 cases were reported inside the bio-bubble of various franchises.

Now that the BCCI is looking to stage the remaining 31 games of IPL 2021 in UAE in the September-October window followed by the ICC T20 World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has had to change its Pakistan Super League (PSL) plans.

“The ICC T20 World Cup, which was supposed to be held in India, is now going to the UAE. India is forced to hold the remaining IPL 2021 matches in UAE also. As such Pakistan had no other choice but to shift the venue of the remaining PSL matches in Abu Dhabi. We had two options, either to cancel the remaining matches or look for a possible venue during the period when we have no other international commitments. This is the best time for us and we have decided to hold it in Abu Dhabi,” PCB chief Ehsan Mani said, as quoted by news.com.pk.

The 6th edition of Pakistan Super League was postponed in March due to positive COVID-19 cases in bio-bubbles.

Notably, there are 20 games still remaining in the competition and it will be held in Abu Dhabi from June 9 to June 24.

Considering the severe health crisis posed by the second COVID-19 wave in India, it has become immensely challenging to conduct the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 in the country, slated to be played in October-November.

While the BCCI has time till June 28 to take a call on the hosting of T20 World Cup, ICC has already shortlisted UAE as the backup venue for the marquee event.

“It is not easy to organize cricket matches these days. All the cricket boards are making adjustments and PCB has not done anything new. We cannot take any risk. It is the safety and security of the players and officials that should be our top priority,” Mani said.