Fact-finding report blames PCB’s lazy approach for spread of corona in PSL teams

The Pakistan Cricket Board’s fact-finding committee has blamed the board’s lazy approach for the violation of the bio-secure bubble by the players which led to the deferment of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) edition six, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday, quoting sources.

The committee’s report also blamed the private programmes held in the hotel where the PSL players were staying for the spread of coronavirus cases among the cricketers.

The committee said the franchises also could not meet the responsibility appropriately. Had the tightened the measures after the discovery of the first infection the situation would not have deteriorated, it added.

The two-member fact-finding panel of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has submitted its report to PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani on the Covid-19 outbreak reported in the bio-secure bubble of Pakistan Super League (PSL) edition six. 

The PCB will now review the report in detail and decide on the next course of action. 

The sixth edition of country’s premier T20 tournament was postponed after several players and staff members had tested positive for Covid-19.

Following the incident, the PCB had named a two-member fact-finding panel, including infectious disease experts Faisal Mehmood and Salma Mohammad Abbas, to review the bio-secure protocols and bylaws put in place during the event.

They were tasked to carry out a holistic and detailed review of the Covid-19 SOPs being followed in PSL this year, identify any gaps and advise as to the reasons why the bio-secure environment did not remain Covid-free.

Reporter Hafiz Shahbaz