HBL PSL 2020 Postponed Until Further Notice

Its confirmed. The remainder leg of HBL PSL 2020 has been postponed until further notice. The news was revealed by PSL officially via a tweet released earlier today.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT #HBLPSLV postponed, to be rescheduled. More details to follow in due course.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT#HBLPSLV postponed, to be rescheduled. More details to follow in due course.

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 17, 2020

This decision was taken after a player, who had left Pakistan a few days ago, showed symptoms of COVID-19 and he will undergo screening shortly. 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.

The HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 semi-final’s were to be played today at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, at 2pm
Karachi Kings v Lahore Qalandars at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, at 7pm

Its sad to hear this news but this decision was need of the time amid the unstoppable Corona Virus cases on the rise.

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.”

“PSL 2020 to postpone as state of emergency is declared in the country as a precautionary measure against the ongoing Novel Corona Virus, COVID 19 situation in Pakistan. After reviewing the situation altogether I believe it’s right in favour of everyone involved in @thePSLt20, said Peshawar Zalmi owner, Jawed Afridi in a tweet″.

Upon hearing the news some mixed opinions were shared on twitter by the cricketing fans. Here is how the people reacted:-

HBL PSL 2020 Postponed And Here Is How The Twitteratis Reacted

The news is the #HBLPSLV #HBLPSL5 #HBLPSL has come to an end in light of the seriousness of the #coronavirusinpakistan will share more details in a bit.

— Fakhr-e-Alam S.I & S.E (@falamb3) March 17, 2020

OFFICIAL — Devastating news coming from Lahore. #HBLPSL is suspended with immediate effect due to increasing cases of Corona Virus in Pakistan. Semifinals and Finals will not be held. Decision has been taken as all sports activities are suspended worldwide.

— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) March 17, 2020

Its an uneven end.
Thankyou all foreign players for making this season a much more successfull.
Life before event.
Have a safe life everyone. #HBLPSLJeetKiJang #HBLPSL

— BEYSHARAM (@AbeyFahad) March 17, 2020

Situation..!#HBLPSL pic.twitter.com/9gb9HFOmPo

— waqarkhalid (@waqarkh00347044) March 17, 2020

https://twitter.com/MehreenCh19/status/1239822894328434688?s=20

No more PSL now….

PSL 2020 called off.

Sad but acceptable as far as overall circumstances are concerned.

Thank you PCB for arranging such great tournament.#HBLPSL #PSLV

— Ahsanramzan (@Ahsanra33350620) March 17, 2020

https://twitter.com/iamMujahidMalik/status/1239814972768690176?s=20

#HBLPSL
Finally corona virus wins the title😔 pic.twitter.com/cKXmz1tNGT

— حمزہ طارق 🇵🇰 (@Hamza48279973) March 17, 2020

Must appreciate the @TheRealPCB @thePSLt20 management decision to postpone the rest of #HBLPSLV #HBLPSL5 #HBLPSL it’s a national and global challenge and we all need to work on this together.

— Asim Altaf (@AsimAltaf17) March 17, 2020

Ab kya karain gy hum? #PSL2020 #HBLPSL #LQvKK #KKvsLQ #MSvPZ #PZvMS #PSL5ComesPakistan pic.twitter.com/1PC8axxSRI

— CricTroll (@CricTroll1) March 17, 2020