Abu Dhabi Not Yet Officially Announced As ‘PSL 2021’ Host

The official announcement from the Pakistan Cricket Board that Abu Dhabi will host the remaining 20 matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) seasons is still pending which was suspended due to a Covid-19 outbreak.

The PCB had scheduled the resumption of the PSL from June 1 but despite the reports that the United Arab Emirates government has permitted the Emirates Cricket Board to host the matches in Abu Dhabi, the PCB hasn’t revealed any details.

According to a PCB spokesman, the offices of the cricket body were open till late in the evening on Tuesday and the moment any information is received, it will be announced.”

On Asking about the Emirates regarding clearance from the UAE government for the PSL, the spokesman said he “could not share anything before time with the media till any information is received.”

The PCB had earlier planned to continue the remaining PSL season in Karachi from June 1 to 17 for the 20 matches but after its request wasn’t approved by the National Command Operation Centre (NCOC), it approached the Emirates Board with the permission of all the six franchises.

But still, there are multiple hurdles that PCB is facing including time constraints as the national team is due to embark on its tour of England on June 23.

The UAE has banned all commercial flights from South Asia including India, which has become the epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Most of the PSL’s broadcast crew belong to India and they along with the players, and franchise officials have to quarantine for ten days upon reaching the UAE.

Players from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka must travel to Pakistan to board on a chartered flight to the UAE. The PCB is doing the arrangements on an emergency basis.

Another issue with scheduling PSL in the UAE in June is the relentless heat of the UAE which could affect players’ performances.

Read more: Remaining PSL 2021 matches to be hosted in Karachi in June

As the announcement is getting pending, the PCB has a backup plan to continue the remaining PSL matches later in the first week of June but that would lead to two matches being played every day till June 17.