HBL PSL2020 postponed due to foreign player suspected with coronavirus: Wasim Khan

• Semifinal, final of the tournament will be rescheduled for later date.
• Overseas player having coronavirus symptoms has left Pakistan.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Wasim Khan has said that they made the decision to postpone the ongoing HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) season after a foreign player suspected with coronavirus.

Without revealing the identity of the player, Khan said a player who had developed COVID-19 symptoms has left the country. This is the reason the board took the decision to postpone the league.

“An overseas player who had the symptoms has already left Pakistan," Wasim told media at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore. “The PSL 2020 was postponed due to this development," he added.

The PCB, as part of its duty of care, has made arrangements for all the players and players support staff of the four semi-finalists, match officials, franchise owners and production crew to undergo precautionary tests and has strongly advised them to wait for the results prior to undertaking any travel.

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PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said: “This is absolutely the right thing to do after an overseas player, who will be tested in his country shortly, has shown symptoms of COVID-19.

“The PCB has also facilitated the process of carrying out immediate tests of all those who were involved with the HBL Pakistan Super League.

“This is an unprecedented situation, which is evolving with each passing day. The PCB has closely monitored the situation and had taken precautionary measures including consultation with relevant authorities and temperature screening of players, officials and media on match and non-match days.

“The PCB believes it has made the right decisions in the lead up to the postponement of the tournament that included consulting the team owners, holding the matches behind closed doors, allowing the players the option to withdraw from the tournament, rescheduling of the matches and reducing the number of event days.

“Obviously before postponing the tournament, we took into confidence the team owners.

“The PCB will use its reach and influence to play its part in all government’s drives and initiatives to create awareness and dealing with this pandemic. The PCB hopes and prays that normalcy returns quickly to our society so that everyone can return to a healthy and routine lifestyle and we can bring back cricket to the fans.”

The PCB has suspended its all domestic competitions and cricket activities.