Six-team Pakistan Super League set for Karachi, Lahore

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) says”sturdy” Covid-19 well being and security protocols are in place forward of its month-long home Twenty20 competitors in Karachi and Lahore, with a number of international cricketers collaborating in a six-team occasion.
“In the present-day environment, all international sport events are going ahead because there is more awareness and information about the pandemic,” PCB chairman Ramiz Raja advised The Associated Press on the eve of Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Karachi will host the primary leg of the match starting Thursday earlier than the league strikes to Lahore on Feb. 10. Lahore may also host the playoffs and the ultimate on Feb. 27.
Last 12 months the PSL was postponed in March after six gamers examined optimistic for COVID-19 in a bio-secure bubble, and the league was switched to Abu Dhabi in June.

The PCB has employed the identical firm for the seventh version of its marquee occasion which efficiently created the bio-secure preparations in Abu Dhabi final 12 months.
“The PCB, despite delivering 267 matches in 10 domestic events in 2021, is not taking anything for granted,” Raja mentioned.
“We have designed and put in place robust health and safety protocols for the well-being of all (PSL) participants.”The virus has already triggered issues earlier than the primary recreation between defending champion Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings kicks off at National Stadium on Thursday.
At least three gamers, together with Peshawar Zalmi’s wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal, and 5 assist workers members examined optimistic final Saturday when the groups started to assemble in Karachi.
The match’s technical committee has allowed Peshawar to incorporate Pakistan worldwide Imam-ul-Haq as a substitute for Akmal.
A spike in optimistic COVID-19 circumstances in Karachi pressured authorities to impose lockdowns in high-risk areas. The authorities had initially allowed full crowds within the PSL, however as a result of spike within the optimistic circumstances, now solely 25% of spectators might be allowed contained in the stadium which implies round 8,000 followers might be allowed to attend.

Pakistan has reported 1,381,152 circumstances and 29,122 deaths from the coronavirus because the pandemic started in 2020.Unlike the final two seasons when the PSL was performed over two legs, the PCB has no plans to both postpone or cancel the occasion this 12 months in case there are COVID-19 outbreaks among the many gamers. It has been deliberate that the league will restart after every week’s break by resetting the bio-bubble from scratch.
While there are 20 gamers every within the six groups, within the occasion of any outbreaks, matches might be allowed to go forward if 13 gamers can be found on both sides.
Despite the specter of virus surrounding the PSL, Raja sees the presence of international gamers as a optimistic facet for Pakistan which might be internet hosting 4 main nations this 12 months, together with Australia for the primary time in Pakistan since 1998.
Johnson Charles of West Indies, New Zealand’s Colin Munro, Rilee Rossouw of South Africa and Chris Jordan and Alex Hales of England are among the international cricketers who might be enjoying within the PSL.
The PSL has seen a number of Pakistan cricketers emerge internationally through the years with bowlers like Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali and Shahnawaz Dahani amongst them. And Raja sees the extent of shut competitors among the many six franchises to develop.
“The PSL has strengthened its reputation and profile as one of the most competitive and challenging leagues, which makes it exciting to follow locally and internationally,” he mentioned.
Pakistan received three main ICC awards final week with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan being voted ODI and T20 cricketers of 2021, respectively, and Shaheen Afridi taking the celebrated Sir Garfield award for cricketer of the 12 months.
All three might be main their groups within the PSL with Babar captaining Karachi Kings, Rizwan defending the title by main Multan whereas Shaheen has been named because the skipper of Lahore Qalandars.
Islamabad United might be led by Shadab Khan and Quetta Gladiators  “for which legendary Shahid Afridi will be playing ” might be captained by former Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed. (AP)