PSL 2022: Three franchises report positive COVID cases ahead of the tournament

Five people including players and officials from three franchises have been tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of PSL 7. As per reports teams and officials have started joining the bio-bubble in Karachi. The rise in Covid-19 cases was a point of concern for the PCB in the previous two seasons as well.

On the request of anonymity, franchise officials have confirmed cases of players along with team officials in their camps. In addition to that, some other PCB officials are also reported to have tested positive for the virus.

The previous two seasons of the PSL had to be postponed mid-way and were resumed later in UAE. The PCB cannot afford another postponement of the tournament as the Pakistan Cricket team has a tightly packed schedule for the rest of the year.

A majority of players and officials of all teams are expected to join the bio-bubble in Karachi by January 20. Most of these players were involved in other cricketing activities before leaving for the PSL. And hence the number of positive cases might go up in the following days.

As per earlier reports stated by the PCB, the tournament will continue even if there are as many as seven positive cases in the camp. A draft of reserve players is ready in case of a spike in the number of cases. The tournament will resume after a seven-day break in case of a midway pause. Two matches will be played per day after that.

The practice for teams is scheduled to start on the 23rd of January. The tournament will begin on the 27th of January at the National Stadium in Karachi. The first match is between Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans. The finals will be played on the 27th of February.