What's new

PCB receives all approvals & exemptions to hold remaining games of PSL 6 in Abu Dhabi

LAHORE: Locked in a financial dispute over the organisation of the ongoing HBL Pakistan Super League 6 in Abu Dhabi, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) are trying to solve it amicably, it is learnt.

The HBL PSL 6 was abruptly shifted to Abu Dhabi from Karachi on May 19 with a proposed plan to resume the league in the Emirates from June 1.

However, due to a number of problems in making the arrangements related to the issuance of visas, travelling plans for players and officials numbering around 400, the UAE government could not issue visas to many well in time, particularly Indians and South Africans, who were involved in the broadcasting of PSL 6 matches.

As some Pakistan players also received visas after delays, the plan to assemble all players and officials, including Indians and South Africans, in Abu Dhabi for the PSL by May 27 faltered and the league resumed on June 9.

The PCB booked two chartered flights to carry Indian crew broadcasters from Mumbai and South African players and crew from Johannesburg and one from Pakistan to bring the remaining 25 players and officials to Abu Dhabi who were issued visas in phases that caused delays.

But as the UAE government had included both India and South Africa in its red list due to the surging number of Covid-19 cases there, visas to the Indians and the South Africans were issued on a special request, which forced the PCB to cancel the chartered flights.

There are reports that the PCB has taken the stance that as the delay in the issuance of visas and clearance for arrival of the chartered flights from India and South Africa forced the PCB to cancel the flights, therefore Abu Dhabi will bear the loss.

It may be mentioned here that later all remaining PSL 6 players and officials reached Abu Dhabi via commercial flights.

According to a report, the PCB suffered a loss of around $0.5 million due to the cancellation of the chartered flights from Pakistan, South Africa and India.

On the other hand, the Abu Dhabi authorities say that they could not get adequate time as the PCB shifted the tournament to the Arab Emirate after a considerable delay.

When contacted to comment on the subject, the PCB said, “Matters and discussions/agreement between the PCB and ECB, as in the past, are confidential and cannot be discussed publicly. Further*more, the PCB, like any other organisation, doesn’t comment on matters relating to its finances or reveal financial details relating to an event.”

Published in Dawn, EOS, June 16th, 2021
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Play-offs:<br><br>Qualifier - Islamabad v Multan (winner goes into final)<br><br>Eliminator 1 - Karachi v Peshawar<br><br>Eliminator 2 - Loser of Islamabad v Multan against Winner of Karachi v Peshawar<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PSL6?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PSL6</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1406359846027419651?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
An action-packed and topsy-turvy league matches stage of the HBL Pakistan Super League 6 ended with a last-over win for table-toppers Islamabad United against Multan Sultans last night. This was a virtual dress rehearsal for the Qualifier between the two teams, set to be played on Monday, 21 June, at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

The first 14 matches in the six-team 30-match double-league format were played at Karachi’s National Stadium before a Covid-19 induced suspension on 4 March.

A monumental effort by the PCB, Emirates Cricket Board and Abu Dhabi Cricket ensured the resumption of the tournament in Abu Dhabi on 9 June.

Since the restart, 16 remaining matches of the league stage have been played at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium between 9 and 19 June with two-time champions United emerging at the top of the table with 16 points from 10 matches.

Sultans, who were languishing at the fifth spot with a mere two points at the end of the Karachi-leg, made an astonishing comeback to win four out of their five Abu Dhabi-leg games to end on the second spot with 10 points and a net run-rate of +1.05.

Zalmi (NRR +0.586) and defending champions Karachi Kings (NRR -0.115) also ended the league stage with 10 points each to ensure their qualification ahead of Lahore Qalandars, who despite finishing with 10 points, missed out on a play-off spot due to an inferior net run-rate of -0.589.

Quetta Gladiators had to endure a surprise dip in form as well as absence of international stars Andre Russell and Faf du Plessis due to concussions which saw them finish at the bottom of the table. The 2019 champions managed just four points from 10 matches (two wins, eight defeats).

LOOKING AHEAD TO THE PLAY-OFFS

Qualifier –Islamabad United vs Multan Sultans: United have been in a red-hot form since losing their first Abu Dhabi-leg match to Qalandars in a last-over thriller on 9 June. Shadab Khan-led side have since won five matches on the trot to finish with a staggering eight wins in 10 league-stage matches. United had won three out of their first four matches of the Karachi-leg.

The foreign opening duo of Usman Khawaja and Colin Munro have dazzled for United in the Abu Dhabi-leg. Usman, the Australian international batsman, posted the only century of the Abu Dhabi-leg, leading his side to victory in a record breaking, high scoring thriller against Zalmi last week.

In five games, the left-hander has tallied 175 runs at 58.33 and a strike-rate of 147.05 with the help of one century. Munro, has amassed 241 runs in five games at 80.33 with an astonishing strike-rate of 174.63. His tally of runs includes two half-centuries.

Asif Ali and Iftikhar Ahmed have provided valuable support in the middle-order with the bat with match winning contributions.

Amongst the bowlers, Hasan Ali leads the pack for United with 12 wickets in eight games at 16.75. Emerging category pacer Mohammad Wasim Jr. has been most impressive in his debut HBL PSL season, collecting 11 wickets in nine matches.

Mohammad Rizwan-led Sultans have emerged from the disappointments of the fifth-position in Karachi to the highs of a second-place finish in Abu Dhabi. Rizwan has led the side from the front with a tally of 470 runs at 52.22 with the help of four half-centuries. Sohaib Maqsood has scored 304 runs in 10 games at 38 with a strike-rate of 154.31.

Sultans’ emerging category fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani has been most impressive with his 20 wickets in nine matches taking him to the top of the wicket-takers list. His wickets have come at an incredible 13.65 average, he has picked-up two player-of-the-match awards.

Head-to-Head: Islamabad United 5 Multan Sultans 3

Eliminator 1 –Peshawar Zalmi vs Karachi Kings: Wahab Riaz-led Peshawar Zalmi produced some thrilling cricket to ensure a play-off berth despite some hiccups on the way.

Seasoned campaigner Shoaib Malik has been their top scorer to date with 244 runs in 10 games at 30.50 and a strike-rate of 140.22. Malik made two fighting half-centuries in the Abu Dhabi-leg against Qalandars and United to ensure his team fought all the way in pursuit of steep targets while minimising the damage to their net run-rate.

Wahab has led the bowling charts for Zalmi with his spirited efforts with the new and the old ball resulting in 14 wickets in nine league matches at 21.85.

Defending champions Kings had to fight hard to resurrect their campaign after losing the first three matches of the Abu Dhabi-leg, which left them on the verge of elimination.

Imad Wasim-led side won a last-over thriller against Qalandars – their ninth match, before defeating Gladiators on Saturday evening to clinch the fourth-spot in the playoffs ahead of their arch-rivals Qalandars.

Batting mainstay Babar Azam leads the HBL PSL 6 batting charts with 501 runs in 10 matches at 71.57, Babar has scored six half-centuries in the tournament so far. Babar’s opening partner Sharjeel Khan contributed 312 runs in 10-league stage matches at 31.20.

Emerging category pacer Arshad Iqbal is the leading wicket-taker for the Kings with eight wickets in as many matches at 29.

Head-to-Head: Peshawar Zalmi nine, Karachi Kings five

d195f12d-0526-4ccc-b708-cdae00c542e3.jpg
 
Last edited:
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman, Ehsan Mani, has congratulated the event staff, six franchises and all PSL commercial partners, particularly HBL, on the successful completion of the HBL Pakistan Super League 6 Tournament, whilst adding that the event felt incomplete without the fans.

The 14 Karachi-leg matches in February/March earlier this year at the National Stadium were held in front of crowds, but the remaining 20 matches in Abu Dhabi were staged in front of an empty Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium as per the UAE government instructions and policies around sport events during these Covid-19 times.

Abu Dhabi also brought a change to the fortunes of Multan Sultan, who completed a fairy-tale run when they came back from fifth position after the Karachi-leg to beat three-time finalists and 2017 champions Peshawar Zalmi by 47 runs.

Apart from lifting the silverware and collecting a cheque of PKR75million, Multan Sultans also swept the individual awards. Sohaib Maqsood walked away with the player of the final, player of the tournament and best batsman of the tournament awards; Shahnawaz Dahani lifted the best bowler and best emerging cricketer of the tournament trophies; and Mohammad Rizwan was adjudged the best wicketkeeper of the tournament and also named captain of the HBL PSL Team of 2021.

PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani said: “Fans are the essence and spirit of any sport. Without them, no event can be completely successful. The presence of the fans was missed by the PCB, players and all commercial partners, but the remaining 20 matches in Abu Dhabi were staged in unusual times and difficult circumstances.

“I assure the passionate Pakistan cricket supporters that the next edition of HBL Pakistan Super League in 2022 will be staged in Pakistan and in front of our people. Planning for next year’s event will start as early as July and by the final quarter of the year, I am hopeful that we may be able to share complete details with our fans so that they can start planning to attend the gathering of some of the most accomplished cricketers at one of the most followed cricket league tournaments.

“It was the fans’ overwhelming enthusiasm and support during the remaining eight HBL PSL fourth edition matches in 2019 that showcased a positive image of Pakistan. This was a catalyst for the PCB to convince Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to play Test matches in Pakistan for the first time in over a decade, followed by hosting the entire HBL PSL 2020 in Pakistan.

“Nonetheless, I am delighted that despite being unable to attend the matches in Abu Dhabi, the fans and supporters continued to wholeheartedly back, encourage and appreciate the event, players and their favourite teams, which resulted in increased eyeballs and impressive digital numbers.

“The PCB has always valued its fans and supporters and understands their contribution to the growth of the sport. Taking into consideration that we as a nation have collectively and successfully managed the Covid-19 pandemic, I remain confident and optimistic that all our cricket in the 2021-22 season in which New Zealand, England, West Indies and Australia will also visit Pakistan, will be played in front of our fans.

“This will surely help the PCB in attracting new audiences, whilst also creating an opportunity for youngsters to continue falling in love with this great sport.

“I want to express my gratitude towards the entire PCB staff, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Emirates Cricket Board and the Abu Dhabi Government. We worked together as an effective team and collectively overcame unexpected challenges and surprises to ensure that the tournament was completed without any further hassles.

“I want to specifically appreciate all cricketers who once again underwent and adhered to the Covid-19 protocols put in place for their health and safety. I completely understand the past 14-odd months have not been easy on our players and player support personnel, and sincerely hope normalcy returns quickly so that they can also start enjoying their lives outside cricket during series and on tours.

“I also want to thank all team owners, who backed us during the planning stages of the Abu Dhabi-leg matches. I acknowledge they had to make last-minute changes to their sides, which disturbed their combinations and balance but we all knew, clearly understood and accepted the significance and importance of completing the tournament in June.

“The quality and spirit of cricket in the HBL PSL 6 was from the top draw and each team deserves a pat on the back for ensuring they played tough but within the rich traditions of cricket. In Multan Sultans, we had a new champion and a well-deserved one. They peaked at the right time and once again demonstrated the value and important of collective efforts in a team sport.

“Lastly, through our decisive actions and the successful delivery of HBL PSL 6, we have once again demonstrated that the HBL PSL is PCB’s marquee event and the PCB will not only protect its integrity but will continue to work to enhance its profile and credibility.”
 
Back
Top