UAE preferred venue for remainder of PSL 2021

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as the frontrunner to host the remainder leg of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021. It is understood that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially requested the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) for the same. 

Earlier, the PCB had lined up Karachi as the venue for the remaining 20 games of the PSL season. However, on a written request from the franchise owners worried by the sudden surge of COVID cases in Pakistan, PCB decided to take the tournament to the UAE once again. Alongside the six franchises, the National Command Operation Centre (NCOC) also requested PCB not to stage the games in Karachi. 

The PCB and the six franchises met virtually on Friday (May 7) to discuss the fate of PSL 2021. 

"While the UAE has emerged as a preferred venue, a number of challenges remain, which will be worked through over the coming days. We remain committed to doing everything possible to complete the HBL PSL 6," PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said in a statement.

"As the holiday period has already started in both the countries and the Pakistan men's national cricket team has to depart for the United Kingdom on 23 June, the PCB will use this time to work with the Emirates Cricket Board to check if the event can be successfully delivered within the available time," the statement read.

"During the holiday period, the PCB will work on a revised tournament schedule, while it will liaise with the ECB in relation to finalising playing and training facilities, hotel bookings, ground transportation and visitors' visas." it added.

The Board said it will also carry out "a detailed financial and risk assessment as well as cost analysis before reporting back to the franchises, who will then review before a decision on the event venue is confirmed."