As the threat of Coronavirus is increasing in Pakistan, 10 foreign players, as well as a coach, have decided to withdraw their name from the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020. All of these players have decided to leave the country while the move came after PCB decided to host the matches in Karachi where most cases have been recorded so far.
According to PTI, the majority number of positive COVID 19 cases have been recorded in Karachi, and the Sindh province with the total cases in Pakistan rises to 24 as on Thursday (12th March).
So far, in PSL, eight matches are still left to be played, including the final which will be played on 22nd March (Sunday). The matches left to be played are scheduled either in Lahore or in Karachi.
PCB promises safety of players:
PCB has allowed the players to withdraw their names and has promised proper safety to all the players.
“All players and players support personnel has been given the option to withdraw from the HBL PSL 2020 should they wish to do so,” the Pakistan Cricket Board stated in a release.
“The PCB will continue to assess and monitor the situation and make decisions as appropriate in consultation with the team owners,” the release further stated.
Here are the names of players who will leave:
Alex Hales (Karachi Kings), Rilee Rossouw and James Vince (Multan Sultans), Tom Banton, Carlos Brathwaite, Liam Dawson, Lewis Gregory and Liam Livingstone (Peshawar Zalmi), Jason Roy and Tymal Mills (Quetta Gladiators), have left the tournament. Also, James Foster, the coach of Peshawar Zalmi has withdrawn his name.
“As of now, it is important to emphasize and clarify that the main concern of many of the 10 players and a coach, who have chosen to return home, revolves around avoiding a potential situation where they might become stranded either due to flight cancellations or border closures in their own countries,” PCB said.
“The PCB will facilitate their safe return and will ensure the same for all of the players and support staff personnel who decide to withdraw from HBL PSL 2020.”
Meanwhile, the PCB has also proclaimed to organise the remaining matches in Karachi in empty stadiums for curbing the spread of the virus.