LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday confirmed that a player from a franchise featuring in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been tested positive for Covid-19.
Two individuals quarantined after violating bio-secure protocols.
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The player, whose identity was not disclosed, has been quarantined for 10 days, the board said in a statement.
“Separately, a player from another franchise team who had shown symptoms and was in isolation, has tested positive. He will now remain in quarantine for 10 days and will require two negative tests in order to integrate again with the side in accordance with the applicable re-entry protocols,” the statement said.
Further, a player and an official of one of the teams taking part in the league have been placed in a three-day quarantine after they came into contact with a person outside the bio-secure bubble on Friday.
The two individuals will now require two negative tests during the three-day quarantine period before they can re-enter the bio-secure bubble in accordance with the re-entry protocols.
“The PCB is disappointed that two members of one of the sides showed carelessness and violated the bio-secure bubble protocols by coming into a contact with a person who was not part of the bubble,” the PCB said.
“As reiterated previously, the health and safety of all individuals associated with HBL Pakistan Super League 6 is of paramount importance to the PCB and the event.
All players, player support personnel, match officials, and family members are once again reminded to diligently follow the PCB Covid-19 Protocols as the PCB will not allow anyone to affect the integrity and credibility of the tournament.”
The PCB earlier this week urged the players, their support personnel, and match officials featuring in the PSL to religiously follow the bio-secure and its Covid-19 protocols to ensure the health and safety of all participants as well as the integrity of the 34-match event.
The opening game of the sixth edition will be played between Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators tonight at 8:00 pm (GMT+5) in Karachi.
After the opening match, 2020 finalists Lahore Qalandars will take on 2017 winners Peshawar Zalmi in a day fixture, while two-time winners Islamabad United will square off against Multan Sultans in the evening on Sunday.
The 30-day tournament will culminate with the final at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on March 22, the first time the venue will stage the final since 2017.
The government has allowed the PCB to admit 20 percent capacity of fans inside the stadiums, maintaining proper social distancing and making masks mandatory for spectators.
The decision meant National Stadium, Karachi will accommodate 7,500 fans and Gaddafi Stadium 5,500.
During the pandemic, the PCB successfully hosted two international series — against Zimbabwe and South Africa — in empty stadiums besides organizing more than 200 domestic cricket matches in a bio-secure bubble.
