A surprised objection has been raised by the Abu Dhabi Health Ministry over the presence of Indian broadcasters to cover the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches. However, earlier, the UAE government had issued visas to them along with South African nationals.
Sources said that the PCB sought special permission for the visas of Indians and South Africans because the UAE government had included both the countries in the red-list due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases in both countries.
The surprise element still prevails since the Indians and South Africans have already reached Abu Dhabi. They all landed in Ras-Al’ Khaimah and later reached Abu Dhabi.
All the Indians are now passing through their quarantine period in Dubai. Sources said by Wednesday, the UAE government will take a final decision.
In case the UAE government doesn’t allow them, PCB might confront a grim situation.
Meanwhile, sources said that the PCB had also informed about the latest development to the PSL franchise owners at a meeting and about the expected new schedule of the matches. It is also learned that the PCB had delayed the departure of the Pakistan team to England to June 25 instead of June 23.
Meanwhile, Quetta Gladiators captain Sarfaraz Ahmed along with six others arrived in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. In another development, Multan Sultans included Blessing Muzarabani in place of Obed McCoy for the remaining 20 matches of the PSL.
Moreover, the players and officials of the franchises owners, who had reached Abu Dhabi from the first chartered flights on May 26 had completed their seven-day quarantine period and now Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars will start training from Wednesday at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.
It is learned that the matches of the PSL now will end on June 24 and the very next day, the Pakistan team will fly to England to play for other matches.
