PCB Calls Off Pakistan Super League Due To Coronavirus Outbreak

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had already truncated the tournament and it was scheduled to hold a two-day knockout as opposed to a four-day playoff.

Pakistan Super League (Image: ICC Twitter Handle)

New Delhi: With the coronavirus cases witnessing a rapid spurt in Pakistan in the past week, the ongoing season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been called off due to the global pandemic which has had severe consequences on the health of citizens all across the globe. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had already truncated the tournament and it was scheduled to hold a two-day knockout as opposed to a four-day playoff. On Tuesday, Multan Sultans were scheduled to take on Peshawar Zalmi in the first semi-final while Karachi Kings were to take on Lahore Qalandars in the other last-four clash at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The PSL 5 final was scheduled to take place on Wednesday evening. However, they now stand cancelled.

JUST IN: PSL 2020 has been postponed as a COVID-19 precaution.

League to be rescheduled. pic.twitter.com/w82H33WyR1 — ICC (@ICC) March 17, 2020

184 confirmed cases of coronavirus have been reported so far in Pakistan, reports The Dawn. Many sporting events, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic across the world. The IPL 2020, which was originally scheduled to start from March 29, has been postponed till April 15. "The biggest reason for anger is PSL...Cricket returned to Pakistan after so many years, the PSL was happening in our country for the first time now even that is at risk. The foreign players are leaving, it will take place behind closed doors," said former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar in a video posted on his official Youtube channel.