Abu Dhabi ready to host PSL 2021 but on one condition
Tuesday, 25 May 2021 (15:58 IST)
New Delhi: The sixth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL 2021) will resume on June 1 in the United Arab Emirates. PSL 2021 began on February 20 in Karachi. The Pakistan Cricket Board had planned to conduct all PSL matches in Pakistan, with Karachi and Lahore hosting the tourney.
Unfortunately, they could not complete the tournament because of a COVID break in the bio-bubble. The fans were enjoying the matches during the few PSL matches that happened in Karachi. However, PCB suspended PSL 2021 indefinitely on March 4, 2021.
Naturally, all cricketers and fans were disappointed after the postponement of the PSL. The Pakistan Cricket Board reportedly gave an ultimatum to the franchises that if the remaining PSL matches did not happen in June, then they would have to abandon the season.
The franchises then asked the board to move the remaining games from Karachi to UAE. PCB agreed and requested the Emirates Cricket Board to allow them to conduct the second phase of PSL 2021 from June 1 to 20.
Abu Dhabi ready to host PSL 2021 but on one condition
While some franchises wanted the games to happen in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, it seems only the national capital of the UAE will host the competition. Abu Dhabi showed readiness to host the second phase of Pakistan Super League 2021 on May 19, but the officials put forward one condition to allow the matches.
The Abu Dhabi government has reportedly given the nod on the condition that all participants of PSL 2021 are vaccinated against Coronavirus. As of May 2021, UAE had less than 20,000 active cases in the nation.
Hence, the officials do not wish to take risks. The reports have claimed that PCB would have a virtual meeting with all the PSL franchises before finalizing the fate of the remaining matches.
The fans of PSL are looking forward to the second half of the competition because some big names have joined the franchises. In the first half, world-class players like Faf du Plessis, Chris Gayle, Dale Steyn and Rashid Khan were a part of the overseas departments of PSL 2021 squads.
After the news of postponement, some additional players joined the squads before the season resumed. During that period, the likes of Andre Russell, Martin Guptill, Fidel Edwards and James Faulkner signed PSL deals.
Will fans get the live cricket score of PSL 2021 in June?
The Pakistan Cricket Board plans to resume PSL 2021 from June 1 and end it on June 20. If all the things go as per the schedule, the fans will get the live score of PSL 2021. PSL matches will be televised live on Sony Six and Sony Six HD. Also, the fans can check the live score of cricket matches on Sportskeeda
With the Abu Dhabi government reportedly asking PCB to get all participants vaccinated, it will be interesting to see how the board moves ahead because players from all over the world play in the PSL. There are different rules for vaccination in different nations, so, the authorities will have to plan things accordingly.
If PSL 2021 resumes, there will be some exciting cricketing action for the fans to kick off six months full of T20 cricket. Defending champions Karachi Kings hold the number one position in the points table right now, with three wins in five matches.
