PSL 2020: Unnamed player tests positive for Covid-19 ahead of playoffs

Even before the final games of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) could start, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suffered yet another setback as an unnamed player has been tested positive for the dreaded Covid-19. The remaining games of PSL 2020 are scheduled to be played this month. The first match is scheduled to be played on November 14.

PSL was being played in March this year but the PCB had to postpone it just before the playoffs stage in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. The cricket board had later announced that the playoffs would take place after the end of IPL 2020. Multan Sultans are scheduled to lock horns against Karachi Kings in the first match of the playoffs.

But just few days before the start of the tournament, the news of the player testing positive would come as a big setback for PCB. According to a report in Cricket Pakistan, the player has been shifted to an isolation room within the team hotel after his Covid-19 test returned positive. He had returned home after the second round of the first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy on November 3.

As per the PCB Covid-19 protocols, he should have travelled to Karachi only after receiving a negative result from the home test. However, upon arrival in Karachi, the PCB Medical and Sports Sciences received the positive result. The player will now stay in isolation and will get the green light to come out of it only after he returns two negative tests.

Overseas players test positive:

Meanwhile, England’s James Vince and Bangladesh’s Mahmudullah will miss the PSL playoffs after testing positive for Covid-19. Both the players were set to play for Multan Sultans. Vince had scored scored 155 runs in five innings before the tournament was postponed. On the other hand, Multan Sultans had roped in Mahmudullah to replace England all-rounder Moeen Ali for the playoffs.

Multan Sultans have the opportunity to choose replacements for Vince and Mahmudullah. The Multan-based franchise has made it to the playoffs for the first time after finishing in the group stage in the previous two seasons.