LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has shifted the three Twenty20 Internationals from Lahore to Rawalpindi whereas the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League will likely be performed in Karachi because of the smog state of affairs within the Punjab capital.
“Taking into consideration the health and well-being of professional athletes and match officials due to the recent deterioration in the air quality caused by an early onset of intense air pollution in Lahore, which is expected to deepen next month, the Pakistan Cricket Board today decided to relocate scheduled matches at the cricket headquarters to Rawalpindi and Karachi,” the PCB stated in a press release on Friday.
“This rescheduling due to weather conditions impacts the three T20Is between Pakistan and Zimbabwe, and the remaining four HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 fixtures, which will now be held in Rawalpindi and Karachi, respectively, on the dates announced earlier.”
The T20 matches towards Zimbabwe will likely be held on the identical dates on November 7, Eight and 10. The PSL matches will likely be held as per earlier dates from November 14 to 17.
PCB chief govt Wasim Khan stated the board had “been keeping a close eye on air quality forecasts over the last two weeks.”
“The early onset of hazardous pollution and subsequent poor air quality meant that the risk to keep matches in Lahore at this stage was too great,” he was quoted as saying within the information launch. “An early resolution was made to make sure logistical challenges could possibly be handled sooner reasonably than later. We can not and won’t compromise on the well being and well-being of the gamers or officers.
“The decision to move matches from Lahore was not one that was taken lightly. For the sake of everyone involved and to ensure the remaining four matches of the HBL PSL and the three T20Is against Zimbabwe were completed without risk or interruption, it was important to move the matches.”
In the meantime, the Excessive Efficiency division has determined that gamers that includes within the first-class Quaid-i-Azam Trophy will likely be launched following the third spherical match to spend the break at their properties. Earlier than returning to Karachi for the fourth spherical motion, which begins on November 20, the gamers will bear Covid-19 checks at dwelling after which one other take a look at upon arrival. Gamers with two unfavorable checks will likely be allowed to combine with their respective sides.
“We are mindful and careful of players’ mental health during the Covid-19 times and, as such, this is a good opportunity for them to return to their homes when the event takes an 11-day break, spend quality time with their family and friends, and rejoin on 18 November to complete the tournament,” Excessive Efficiency director Nadeem Khan was quoted as saying.
Revised schedule:
Pakistan v Zimbabwe(matches to begin at 3.30pm PST):
1st T20: November 7 (Rawalpindi)
2nd T20: November 8 (Rawalpindi)
third T20: November 10 (Rawalpindi)
Pakistan Super League (matches in Karachi):
November 14: Qualifier (Multan Sultans v Karachi Kings) (3pm-6.30pm); Eliminator 1 (Lahore Qalandars v Peshawar Zalmi) (8pm-11.30pm).
November 15: Eliminator 2 (loser Qualifier v winner Eliminator 1) (8pm-11.30pm).
November 17: Remaining (winner Qualifier v winner Eliminator 2) (8pm-11.30pm).
Printed in Daybreak, October 24th, 2020
