Should PSL 5 continue with empty stands and depleted squads or should it be stopped?

[Abdullah719]

All of Zalmi's overseas players besides Sammy have pulled out.

The likes of Roy and Hales have also pulled out

No crowds, no atmosphere at the stadiums.

Just 6 more matches left but is it worthwhile to finish the tournament in this manner?

There's also the matter of cricketers being in close proximity with each other, with the threat of them catching the virus. Footballers and basketball players have already been diagnosed with coronavirus around the world, leading to team members' self-isolation.

 

[Rayyman]

Yes finish it. Roy and Hales trash anyway

 

[Forum363]

Yes finish it. Roy and Hales trash anyway

We’re so close to the finish now.

Provided all relevant precautions are taken, It’s better to complete the tournament with local players. At least we will have somewhat of a conclusion.

Pakistan at the moment does not seem to be as badly affected as some of the other countries.

 

[CleverSir]

No. Need to end it. Finish the league stage and declare the league toppers to be champions of PSL 2020. Let players and staff move away from congregation.

 

[TrentDevil]

The tournament is at it's fag end so it's better to finish it. But seeing at what's happening with European football leagues is a scary thing, many top footballers have tested +ve, because of lack of action at the right time, so going by that, it's best & logical that PSL is stopped completely, right now.

 

[Saj]

Empty stands, most of the foreign players gone.

I would have called it off.

 

[NauV]

With teams depleted too now, I would have cancelled too . . no point because I don't think the right team/deserving team will win anymore ..

 

[Savak]

PCB trying to minimize their losses, cancelling the tournament might mean 70% losses, playing and completing it with empty stands will mean 30% losses.

 

[King Khan]

Who cares if its watched infront of empty stadiums, its been like that for 4 years in the UAE!

Let those who have been following it on TV and Youtube continue having their fun!

 

[ahmadharis1]

A handful of games in front of empty crowds is not worth the risk. Call it off

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Empty stands, most of the foreign players gone.

I would have called it off.

And depleted our local players of match fees as well.

 

[Abid Z]

With these empty stands It’s just like playing in the UAE. Been the best PSL ever. So happy to see it in Pakistan with such positive reviews Nothing can take away from it despite a rather subdued ending.

 

[coy0607]

they should have modified the schedule further.

Just have the final between the top 2 team and end the tournament on a high note. Could probably have gotten the overseas players to stay for 1-game

 

[aloo paratha]

Keep it going, at least people can watch on TV.

 

[Hasan123]

Could have postponed it to later in the year. Doesn't feel the same without the fans and overseas players.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

It's a good decision to continue it. Would have been weird to not have a winner while knowing that there was a PSL V in 2020. Also things aren't that bad yet in Pakistan so there is no harm in continuing for 3/4 more days.

In the west there are deaths yet people in the UK and Netherlands go to school and work. Without the crowd its safe enough to continue and the quality isn't that bad either considering how well Peshawar played today without the foreigners till that last over. It was a good match today. Three days more shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Gotham Cronie]

So there are foreign players who opted to stay and continue playing and then there are local players as well who want to play and make their mark and we should say to them "Eh...we don't like it with no fans. Go on home" ?

 

[MMHS]

It should be finished - as long as the risk threshold is manageable. I think, financially PCB is covered to some extent through insurance, but the tournament needs a stump on PAK soil. They have done really well to shorten it a bit, probably could have compressed the schedule even more and play three group games in one day (not sure though if fixture permits), but still they have managed it well for a grand finish.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Not just PSL , they should stop all cricket imo. What's the point playing to empty stadia across the world?

 

[Abid Z]

It's a good decision to continue it. Would have been weird to not have a winner while knowing that there was a PSL V in 2020. Also things aren't that bad yet in Pakistan so there is no harm in continuing for 3/4 more days.

In the west there are deaths yet people in the UK and Netherlands go to school and work. Without the crowd its safe enough to continue and the quality isn't that bad either considering how well Peshawar played today without the foreigners till that last over. It was a good match today. Three days more shouldn't be an issue.

The issue is testing in some countries are poor so we don’t yet know how many cases there actually are. If the players or officials contract something it would appear that the pcb and pak government have been negligent. I’m expecting in a week or so news from India and Pakistan to show huge increases. But still for now there should be some preventative measures. Playing in empty stadiums restricted to Karachi or Lahore seems sensible

 

[Maliq_Mudasir]

High time for PCB to stop PSL. They had anincredible season this time around. Any misfortune event will spoil all the hard work the authorities have done so far.

Better to be safe than greedy.

 

[ZamanFan]

PSL is one major revenue source for PCB, they won't stop.this. They are winding this tournament in4 days stopped spectators for coming into the stadium and allowed any of its foreign players to leave if they wish to.

They should've cut air travel and organize the matches in one stadium throughout the PSL.

 

[Hawkeye]

They will stop it.

After someone gets sick and is tested positive.

 

[Mobashir]

Surprisingly, PCB have taken a very good decision according to me to continue it but finish it sooner. If we cancel it now the main thing that will be remembered will be that it didn't finished.

Surely this is all if there is no contamination risk for the players and people around it.

 

[MenInG]

Right decision taken by PCB - and for the right reasons.

 

[Indiafan]

They will stop it.

After someone gets sick and is tested positive.

What a prediction

 

[Hawkeye]

They will stop it.

After someone gets sick and is tested positive.

What a prediction

It was bound to happen when you continue a big tournament like this.

Stupid PCB!