The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) attempt to reopen the remainder of the PSL season, which was postponed in March this year after multiple players and officials tested positive for the coronavirus, has been criticised by batting legend Javed Mianad.
The PCB has been in negotiations with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) about holding the remaining matches in the UAE. However, due to the UAE government’s ban on travellers from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh, the chances of PSL resuming there are slim to zero.
As the world fights the coronavirus pandemic, Miandad believes that the priority should be saving lives, and that cricket should take a backseat. CricketPakistan.com cited Miandad as saying, “Now is not the time to play cricket, it is the time to save lives.”
“In these moments of disaster, we should be more focused on saving lives than playing cricket,” he added. The coronavirus has infected people all over the world. The virus is also wreaking havoc on India, which was scheduled to host the World Cup.”
He also accused PCB of putting people’s lives in danger so that the board doesn’t lose money. “They are putting other people’s lives in jeopardy for their own financial benefit. I will not take the huge chance of organising the remaining PSL matches if it were in my possession. Who would be held accountable if they conduct this event and have problems?” he asked.
Meanwhile, if PCB wishes to finish PSL 6, it will be pressured to host matches in Karachi. “The PCB was expecting things to be finalised in the next 24 hours due to the Eid holidays in both countries, but now that the UAE government has placed a ban until May 12, the PCB’s only alternative is to keep the matches in Karachi,” a source told PTI.