LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has approached the Emirates Cricket Board to host the remaining games of the rescheduled 2021 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the UAE.
The matches were scheduled to be played in Karachi, but the PCB has decided against it following a request from the six franchises as well as advice from the National Command Operation Centre (NCOC), due to the worsening COVID-19 situation in the country.
The PCB and the six franchises of the PSL held a meeting on Friday to decide the future course of action related to the remaining 20 matches of PSL 6. The group had a 360-degree discussion, which also considered feedback from the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).
During the meeting, the UAE emerged as the preferred venue for the remaining 20 matches. Since the Pakistan cricket team is expected to depart for the United Kingdom on June 23, the PCB decided to work with the Emirates Cricket Board to check if the event can be successfully held within the available time.
“We had an interactive and productive meeting in which we considered a number of factors, said PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said. “While the UAE has emerged as a preferred venue, a number of challenges remain, which will be worked through over the coming days. We remain committed to doing everything possible to complete the PSL 6.”
The PCB said it will also work on a revised tournament schedule while it will liaise with the ECB in relation to finalising playing and training facilities, hotel bookings, ground transportation and visas.
The board said it will carry out a detailed financial and risk assessment as well as cost analysis before reporting back to the franchises, who will then review before a decision on the event venue is confirmed.
