The Covid-19, commonly known as Coronavirus, has shocked the entire world. The deadly disease has been declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Major cultural and sporting events across the globe have been either cancelled or postponed.
The biggest cricket league in the world, Indian Premier League (IPL), has been suspended till April 15. The One-Day International (ODI) series between India and South Africa have been postponed, so does the Chappell-Hadlee trophy between Australia and New Zealand. The Test series between England and Sri Lanka even met a similar fate.
The ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) has also impacted because of Covid-19, and the schedule has been revised. The number of playing days has been reduced to 4, and the playoffs have been replaced with two semi-finals.
As per the revised schedule, the two semis will be played as double-headers on Tuesday (March 17). The afternoon game (start time 2:00 pm local) will be played between the first and the fourth side in the points table, whereas the other match (7:00 pm local time) will take place between the second and the third side.
The final is scheduled to be played on March 18, and it will be an evening game starting at 7 pm. All these games will take place in Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the foreign players have left PSL. The likes of Alex Hales (Karachi Kings), Rilee Rossouw and James Vince (Multan Sultans), Tom Banton, Carlos Brathwaite, Liam Dawson, Lewis Gregory and Liam Livingstone (Peshawar Zalmi), Jason Roy and Tymal Mills (Quetta Gladiators), Colin Munro, Dale Steyn, Dawid Malan and Luke Ronchi (Islamabad United), have left the tournament.
As per Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), all teams will be allowed to bring in local players as replacements for foreign players.
🚨 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨
Given the unprecedented situation today PCB has decided that teams will be allowed to bring in local players as replacements for foreign players.
Going forward teams may also play up to 4 foreign players, with no bar on the minimum number.#HBLPSLV
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 13, 2020
