Pakistan Cricket Board could reportedly reconsider the decision of hosting the upcoming Pakistan Super League 2022 in Karachi as the country experiences a rapid rise in Covid-19 positive cases. The tournament’s latest edition could be held entirely in Lahore, where the health situation gives a brighter reading.
The tournament, scheduled to kick-off on January 27 and run till February 27, is currently due to be held at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore and the National Stadium in Karachi. But the chances are that Karachi could lose the hosting rights for the 2022 Super League matches, with PCB left on its toes by the rapidly rising positive cases there.
The situation may also lead to hesitation among the overseas players travelling to Pakistan to join their respective Super League franchises. Thus, the board reportedly wishes to take no chances with regards to the tournament and is looking to strengthen the health protocols in place, with a potential consideration given to hosting the entire event in a Lahore bubble.
Reports suggest that PCB will look to secure a safe place for the entire PSL contingent, including players, coaches and rest, to live inside one bubble in Lahore, which would also ensure less travelling time and less risk of Covid entering the teams’ squads and from there to the bubble.
In case the bubble gets breached, reports are that PCB will initiate a seven-day halt for the tournament and resume it after a short pause so that the remainder of the matches are not affected. The PCB doesn’t want a repeat of 2021, where they had to host the PSL as a two-leg edition in Pakistan and UAE in separate windows.
The PSL 2022 is being held at a new window for the tournament, which has historically been played in the late February-March timespan. The new slot has come about because of Pakistan’s international commitments. The national men’s team is due to host Australia in a historic visit by the team Down Under for three Tests, three ODIs and one T20I in March-April.
