Many international superstars including former West Indian skipper Darren Sammy have decided to pull out of the PSL 2020 playoffs. The PCB named as many as 21 overseas cricketers who were to participate in the finals of the tournament. bow with Sammy and others pulling out because of travel concerns owing to COVID-19. Meanwhile, the likes of Faf Du Plessis and Kieron Pollard will be available for the final stages of the tournament.
The PSL had to come to a halt in March after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic began. the playoffs will begin from November 14. Table-toppers Multan Sultan will take on Karachi Kings in the first qualifier, followed by the eliminator clash between Lahore Qalandar and Peshawar Zalmi.
The second eliminator will be held on November 15, and the final on November 17. The league matches of the tournament were played back in February-March, before the onset of the fatal virus.
The PCB earlier decided to shift the playoff matches from Lahore to Karachi due to smog. After relocating Pakistan vs Zimbabwe matches from Lahore to Rawalpindi, they took this decision to even relocate the playoffs matches to avoid it causing any in harm to the players with regards to breathing.
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PSL 2020 Playoffs Shifted From Lahore to Karchi
PCB CEO Wasim said that they have been keeping a close eye on air quality since the last couple of weeks now following a sudden deterioration in the air quality. As a result, they made this decision to shift the PSL matches from Lahore to Karachi.
“We have been keeping a close eye on air quality forecasts over the last two weeks. Following the sudden deterioration in air quality and now further expected air pollution in November, we have made a swift decision to move the matches scheduled in Lahore,” said PCB CEO Wasim Khan as quoted by Cricket Pakistan website.
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