Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday postponed Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020 because of coronavirus scare. The board informed about the same on Tuesday (17th March). Meanwhile, only three games, that include two semi-finals and the grand final, was left to be played in PSL 2020.
However, on March 17, the two semifinals between Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi, Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars were scheduled. Following this, the two qualified teams were set to play the grand final which was scheduled on 18th March.
However, the coronavirus outbreak has marred all the entertainment.
PSL 2020 will be rescheduled:
Besides, Pakistan was the first time hosting the league in the home ground. The past four editions have been played at neutral venue ie, UAE because of the security concerns.
However, the pandemic has shattered all the hard work done by PCB.
“HBL PSL 2020 postponed, to be rescheduled. More details to follow in due course,” the PCB tweeted from its official handle.
Earlier, to curb the mass gathering, PSL was being played behind the close doors. While PSL was the only league that was going on amid COVID-19 and now, this league has also been called off.
Bangladesh tour of Pakistan also postponed:
PCB has also postponed the Test match and an ODI match against Bangladesh who was to tour Pakistan. The host had won the first Test match of the series which was played back in February.
Meanwhile, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 has also been postponed till mid-April. BCCI is constantly holding meetings to make a plan for the 13th edition of IPL.
If the cash-rich league gets cancelled, BCCI would have to face heavy loss which will surely affect the board’s annual income.
Last week, BCCI also called off the three-match ODI series between India and South Africa.
The two teams had travelled to play the first match but the match was declared the abandoned due to rain. What will happen to the game of cricket, will be decided when the coronavirus ends which has taken more than 7,000 lives and infected close to 175,000 people worldwide.