PSL 2021: PCB still awaiting visas for Indian and South African members of broadcasting team

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing a new roadblock in their plan of hosting the remaining matches of the sixth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). PSL 2021 was postponed in March after a number of players and support staff members tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

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The Pakistan board originally planned to conduct the remainder of the tournament in Karachi from June 1 to June 20. However, an upsurge in the Covid-19 cases in Pakistan resulted in the franchises and the Pakistan board arriving at the conclusion that PSL 2021 should be shifted to the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile, PCB is now facing a new problem as it is learned that the Abu Dhabi government is yet to issue visas for Indian and South African members of the broadcasting team. While the board has received the visa clearance for all the players and other members involved, they are waiting for a response regarding the Indian and South African members.

“The quarantine period for the rest of the participants of the PSL 6 including Pakistani players is seven days but the PCB is worried about the broadcasting crew of Indian and South Africans because time is running out,” a source informed as quoted by Sportskeeda.

"The PCB will have to bear a lot of extra expenses as they are also planning to fly out the South African players and crew from Johannesburg to Abu Dhabi on a chartered flight while remaining players and officials will take a chartered flight from Karachi to Abu Dhabi," he added.

A delay in the visa clearance can also hamper PCB's plans of starting the tournament from June 5. The weather is considerably hot in June in Abu Dhabi. Thus, PCB was hoping to complete the tournament by June 20.