PCB to remove bio-bubble restrictions from upcoming Sri Lanka women's series

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has declared that the COVID-19 and bio-bubble limitations, which were implemented two years ago owing to the pandemic situation, will be lifted going forward. Since the Covid-19 scare began in March 2020, all kinds of sporting activities were put on a hold and the world went into a lockdown.

When the curbs were lifted, the bio-bubble restrictions came into the picture, with all games being played behind closed doors. PCB were one of the first cricket board to bring back cricket, as they conducted the Pakistan Super League (PSL) behind closed doors.

Sami-ul-Hasan Burney, PCB Director Media, has made an official announcement that upcoming West Indies series in Pakistan will be played with no restrictions. “PCB became the first cricket body in the world to adopt these restrictions. The upcoming men’s home series against West Indies in June will also be played without a bio-secure environment if the situation remains perfect.”

The Pakistan Cup held in Multan was successfully conducted in an open environment

The decision will be in effect beginning with the national women’s team camp in Karachi and continuing through the planned home series against Sri Lanka, which begins on May 24. The major COVID-19 SoPs (Standard Operating Procedures) will not be taken into consideration during the contests, but the players will have to abide by the imposed rules.

“However, the players and officials will be instructed to take precautionary measures and follow major SoPs including social distance from the fans,” he added. It should be noted that PCB tried this out in the Pakistan Cup final in Multan, and it worked out just fine.

Recent reports had suggested that the BCCI is likely to do away with the bio-bubbles and other restrictions for the South Africa tour of India to lessen the adverse effects on the players’ mental health. A BCCI official had reportedly said that the impositions will be lifted for the Ireland and England tour. The English board had also lifted the bio-bubble for all kinds of sporting activities.