"Someone needs to take responsibility" : Salman Iqbal on PSL6 postponement

[Firebat]

Karachi: Mr. Salman Iqbal, the owner of defending champions Karachi Kings, has lambasted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over mismanagement of COVID-19 SoPs, leading to the postponement of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season six.

While talking to ARY News’ special PSL 6 transmission, Mr. Salman stated that someone has to be held responsible as it has damaged the reputation of Pakistan’s biggest cricket extravaganza.

“I’ve clearly said in the meeting today that somebody has to take responsibility. We have worked so hard in last five years to bring this brand back to Pakistan but due to PCB’s negligence, me, my team and fans are disappointed,” he said.

“I warned them to strictly implement SoPs after three COVID positives came out but the attitude was so casual of the event organizers,” he criticized

Mr. Salman revealed that he went to the bio-secure bubble to check whether the SoPs are being followed or not.

“I went into the bio bubble after isolating, to see if my teams’ complaints about the lack of bio-secure protocols were true. There were so many lapses in bio-bubble, one can’t even imagine,” he added.

“There isn’t any such thing of three-day quarantine. Seven days of minimum isolation is a must. Apart from this, we don’t know who is in the bubble, who is not. The non-bio bubble people were on the ground. It’s not a joke, PSL is the second most followed league in the world,” he maintained.

Mr. Salman has requested to desanitize the entire hotel where teams were staying as we didn’t know from where the virus is coming from.

It must be noted here that the event has been postponed earlier today after three new coronavirus positive cases were confirmed earlier today.

https://arysports.tv/someone-needs-to-take-responsibility-mr-salman-iqbal/

 

[90MPH]

They couldn’t keep one Hotel biosecure, clearly the measures they had in place was not good enough because all it takes is one infected person entering it to cause total pandemonium.

This is the nature of this virus, the people organising this knew it beforehand so it’s pathetic the PCB didn’t have the strict measures to prevent it when so much was at stake.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

This guy has got some nerve considering he was sitting in the dug-out yesterday. Nobody is denying that the blame on all of this falls on the PCB.

But at the same time, guys like Javed Afridi and him need to be taken to task for the way they openly flouted restrictions by bringing every tom, dick and harry into the stadium. Not to mention, threaten to boycott the tournament if Sammy and Wahab were not allowed back into the side.

 

[UzmanBeast]

This guy has got some nerve considering he was sitting in the dug-out yesterday. Nobody is denying that the blame on all of this falls on the PCB.

But at the same time, guys like Javed Afridi and him need to be taken to task for the way they openly flouted restrictions by bringing every tom, dick and harry into the stadium. Not to mention, threaten to boycott the tournament if Sammy and Wahab were not allowed back into the side.

I think he mentioned in the interview that he had completed his quarantine and testing before making the dugout.

Javed Afridi is one confusing case, because he actually tried to boycott the tournament if Sammy and Wahab did not make it.

Reports are suggesting that no player during yesterday's games tested positive, so that leaves LQ and IU as the two possible teams.

I think it was IU, primarily because they have a positive case in Fawad, who might have come into contact with someone else.

Poor organization.

Salman Iqbal was just bringing up some much needed points about PCB's incompetence.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I think he mentioned in the interview that he had completed his quarantine and testing before making the dugout.

Javed Afridi is one confusing case, because he actually tried to boycott the tournament if Sammy and Wahab did not make it.

Reports are suggesting that no player during yesterday's games tested positive, so that leaves LQ and IU as the two possible teams.

I think it was IU, primarily because they have a positive case in Fawad, who might have come into contact with someone else.

Poor organization.

Salman Iqbal was just bringing up some much needed points about PCB's incompetence.

Fair enough.

Like I said, nobody is denying that PCB's incompetence has been thoroughly exposed. But others who openly violated restrictions should also be taken to task.

 

[ataullah]

The so called senior sports journalists of Pakistan are the most toxic ones and create more panic than anyone else. Being a responsible media person, they should show some maturity and suggest solutions rather than doing sensationalise reporting like an undergraduate intern. The one solution cricket board can go with is; take a 10-12 day break from league, quarantine everyone involved in the bio-bubble, test them and isolate the one's who are tested positive. The situation will get much better and league would be able to proceed.

 

[Abid Z]

I’m pretty sure they can take a week off, sanitise everything and make some changes to the schedule, All go into 7 day quarantine and then start again with or without international players. All the stakeholders, owners players administrators etc need to reset their priorities.

It’s not a fascist dictatorship where pcb have to constantly police every person or hotel. At some point the players themselves have to take responsibility.

 

[MenInG]

I’m pretty sure they can take a week off, sanitise everything and make some changes to the schedule, All go into 7 day quarantine and then start again with or without international players. All the stakeholders, owners players administrators etc need to reset their priorities.

It’s not a fascist dictatorship where pcb have to constantly police every person or hotel. At some point the players themselves have to take responsibility.

In Wasim Khan's words:

"My recommendation was to have a 5 day break with 3 test in between but the franchises were very clear that the players were very nervous, anxious and very apprehensive; Then there were 3 more cases overnight so there was a trickle effect"

"So, whilst our hope was to suspend matters and then continue, they (franchises) made it clear that the players were not in a mental state to continue"

"So the 3 additional overnight cases - the franchises checked the atmosphere in their camps and it was clear that the majority of player do not want to continue; The franchises felt very uncomfortable, like we did, in putting players under additional risk when there was no need to"

 

[RajBan]

In Wasim Khan's words:

"My recommendation was to have a 5 day break with 3 test in between but the franchises were very clear that the players were very nervous, anxious and very apprehensive; Then there were 3 more cases overnight so there was a trickle effect"

"So, whilst our hope was to suspend matters and then continue, they (franchises) made it clear that the players were not in a mental state to continue"

"So the 3 additional overnight cases - the franchises checked the atmosphere in their camps and it was clear that the majority of player do not want to continue; The franchises felt very uncomfortable, like we did, in putting players under additional risk when there was no need to"

TBH there is no right or wrong here. European sports events continue inspite of occassional positive cases. Franchises should also be onboard to take the financial hit. Unlike football, they may not get another window this year with cricket calendar stacked up.

 

[ahmedzee]

Am I the only one who is not surprised. I am not doubting efforts of PCB here, but actually learning from experience and seeing leagues around the world being affected by COVID. For example, just today, 4 NBA players from the team Raptors were affected and were told to quarantine, along with the match being postponed. So we have seen these examples a lot.

What puzzles me more is, why postpone the whole tournament. Take 1 week off, and get everyone tested & vaccinated, and return to the field next week. Come on! That is what all leagues are doing.

 

[Abid Z]

Am I the only one who is not surprised. I am not doubting efforts of PCB here, but actually learning from experience and seeing leagues around the world being affected by COVID. For example, just today, 4 NBA players from the team Raptors were affected and were told to quarantine, along with the match being postponed. So we have seen these examples a lot.

What puzzles me more is, why postpone the whole tournament. Take 1 week off, and get everyone tested & vaccinated, and return to the field next week. Come on! That is what all leagues are doing.

Exactly that’s what I thought would be logical. Seems the players think otherwise.

 

[Saj]

From what I've heard from players, the hotel security was awful. People were coming and going as they pleased and the breaches were happening all the time under the noses of the PSL officials, franchises, owners etc.

The blame here isn't just on PCB or Wasim Khan, the players, officials and franchises themselves have to be held accountable too.

 

[ex-q-zit]

I think he mentioned in the interview that he had completed his quarantine and testing before making the dugout.

Javed Afridi is one confusing case, because he actually tried to boycott the tournament if Sammy and Wahab did not make it.

Reports are suggesting that no player during yesterday's games tested positive, so that leaves LQ and IU as the two possible teams.

I think it was IU, primarily because they have a positive case in Fawad, who might have come into contact with someone else.

Poor organization.

Salman Iqbal was just bringing up some much needed points about PCB's incompetence.

His quarantine period was 3 days which is a joke. Its common knowledge that the incubation period of the virus is upto 5 days so a minimum of 7 days quarantine is needed.

 

[Saj]

One of the biggest problems with the PSL is that the franchises have PCB over a barrel which is a dangerous situation.

The owners seem to think they can do what they want, behave how they want and say what they want and the PCB can do nothing about it.

Time for the PCB to clamp down on this before this gets worse.

 

[Markhor]

I was testing the security of the bank, that's why I robbed it.

What a defence, but typical of these elite corporate types always quick to pass responsibility elsewhere.

PCB deserve blame for not laying down the law, but I suspect this investigation will not take kindly to the appalling behaviour of these franchise owners who seemed to think themselves above the rules.

 

[Savak]

The IPL authorities had outsourced their bio secure bubble administration to a company, the PCB should have done the same as that would have ensured neutrality in its implementation

 

[Saj]

A friend was telling me that one of the franchise owners during PSL was seen doing a tv interview in a studio and later that day was mingling with his coaching staff and players.

 

[hashimafzal]

A friend was telling me that one of the franchise owners during PSL was seen doing a tv interview in a studio and later that day was mingling with his coaching staff and players.

Who is allowing this? Why is the PCB allowing owners to walk all over them? Do they have no authority/respect themselves to lay down the law?

 

[BigShak]

Some of these owners are absolutely shameless. Part of me is happy they’re one of the losers out of this debacle. This was the same guy who was sat in the dug out one day and the next day was doing an opening for the ARY Laguna city and he’s asking others to take responsibility.

 

[UzmanBeast]

His quarantine period was 3 days which is a joke. Its common knowledge that the incubation period of the virus is upto 5 days so a minimum of 7 days quarantine is needed.

If that's the case, it is safe to say that there was not enough general knowledge and awareness of the rules, which is entirely the fault of PCB.

Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic.

 

[Shahzad1985]

The problem here is some of these owners must must be indirectly blackmailing the PCB because they are the big investors as franchise owners, hence Wasim Khan in his interview was trying to be as diplomatic as possible

 

[MenInG]

All indicators pointing towards PCB incompetence.

 

[SM1989]

All indicators pointing towards PCB incompetence.

Goodbye Wasim Khan

 

[bilawal666]

I don't why people are calling for Khan's resignation. It's entirely the players' fault for testing positive. The word is that Hassan Ali and Hussain Talat attended someone's birthday party and caught the virus there.

 

[angrypathan]

Start with yourself Salman

 

[Last Monetarist]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A lot of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fakenews?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fakenews</a> is circulating regarding PSL6, so a few data points (for those who focus on facts):<br><br>(1/4) As the PCB clarified here, SOPs were strictly followed, which included upfront COVID testing of production crew, isolation for 3days, another COVID test post isolation >> <a href="https://t.co/WZu3hDCrzI">pic.twitter.com/WZu3hDCrzI</a></p>— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) <a href="https://twitter.com/IsbUnited/status/1367787613986422787?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">(2/4) They entered into the bio bubble only after completing isolation and following all PCB protocols and SOPs . Once the shoot was done, the crew left. No breach of COVID protocols >></p>— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) <a href="https://twitter.com/IsbUnited/status/1367787618528882689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">(3/4) some incorrect conclusions have been drawn from the birthday celebration of a coach of another PSL team. Again, there was no breach - the event was within the bubble, with representation from members of multiple teams, and all individuals present were part of the bubble >></p>— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) <a href="https://twitter.com/IsbUnited/status/1367787621213220866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">(4/4) We hope that these clarifications are useful. In the interest of staying constructive, we will not be making any further comments on the subject. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UnitedWeWin?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UnitedWeWin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeWillRoarAgain?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeWillRoarAgain</a></p>— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) <a href="https://twitter.com/IsbUnited/status/1367787623792656393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[dildilpak]

First of all, dont know who came up with the 3 day isolation rule when we all know that it can take upto a week for Covid to manifest. This was the gravest mistake - not consulting public health officials & coming up with arbitrary isolation rules on their own.

Second - not securing the hotel while allowing weddings to happen in the same hotel & others using same elevators? If PCB did not have money to spend on bio-security, they should have had never promised that to the players. No wonder players were freaking out.

Third - PcB allowing franchise owners dictate the terms due to their own desperation for franchise money. Maybe the coffers are really empty at this point.

Overall, PCB is a disaster.

 

[Saj]

Mud-slinging between PCB and the franchises has already started.

Expect this to continue with nobody accepting to take responsibility for what has happened.

 

[Saj]

The PCB needs to stand up for itself instead of this cowardly attitude.

Make those who didn't follow the rules known to everyone and if that means they walk away from future PSL tournaments so be it.

Stop bowing down to everything the franchises want.

 

[srh]

Am I the only one who is not surprised. I am not doubting efforts of PCB here, but actually learning from experience and seeing leagues around the world being affected by COVID. For example, just today, 4 NBA players from the team Raptors were affected and were told to quarantine, along with the match being postponed. So we have seen these examples a lot.

What puzzles me more is, why postpone the whole tournament. Take 1 week off, and get everyone tested & vaccinated, and return to the field next week. Come on! That is what all leagues are doing.

yeah I did not get it. Why not just follow NBA.

Toronto Raptors were the culprit as they were also a bit relaxing in Covid-19 protocols. So the league suspends their games, then through contact tracing, put some of that team players who might be affected, in quarantine. After contact tracing is done then league allows Toronto Raptors to play games minus those players who are in quarantine. Since some of their good players are also in quarantine so they lost couple of games easily so this is kind of punishment for them for relaxing in Covid-19 protocols. But the league did not shutdown.

 

[srh]

First of all, dont know who came up with the 3 day isolation rule when we all know that it can take upto a week for Covid to manifest. This was the gravest mistake - not consulting public health officials & coming up with arbitrary isolation rules on their own.

Second - not securing the hotel while allowing weddings to happen in the same hotel & others using same elevators? If PCB did not have money to spend on bio-security, they should have had never promised that to the players. No wonder players were freaking out.

Third - PcB allowing franchise owners dictate the terms due to their own desperation for franchise money. Maybe the coffers are really empty at this point.

Overall, PCB is a disaster.

this looks like a PCB rule which is not followed anywhere else

 

[mazkhan]

Pcb needs to compensate the media rights , franchises , sponsors , players instead of pointing fingers and having this mud slinging match who is to blame.
Or otherwise say goodbye.

This board is a total fraud shoaib akhtar is right he himself has been victim of their incompetence.

 

[MenInG]

The PCB needs to stand up for itself instead of this cowardly attitude.

Make those who didn't follow the rules known to everyone and if that means they walk away from future PSL tournaments so be it.

Stop bowing down to everything the franchises want.

This is not the PCB culture - difficult to see it happening.

 

[Saj]

These franchise owners need to take their share of the blame too.

They and their families have made PSL their toy - along with players, players families, the hangers-on, PCB officials, those working in the PSL in various guises. All behaving as if they can do whatever they want.

A well-needed wake up call for this lot.

 

[Savak]

These franchise owners need to take their share of the blame too.

They and their families have made PSL their toy - along with players, players families, the hangers-on, PCB officials, those working in the PSL in various guises. All behaving as if they can do whatever they want.

A well-needed wake up call for this lot.

I hold them primarily responsible. In fact I am pretty certain that the PCB told them to behave and respect the bio secure bubbles, Covid and they must have retorted its our franchise, we will do whatever we want. The PCB should have shown a pair and taken action on the spot

 

[MenInG]

Some of what took place during PSL 6

 

[ahmedzee]

yeah I did not get it. Why not just follow NBA.

Toronto Raptors were the culprit as they were also a bit relaxing in Covid-19 protocols. So the league suspends their games, then through contact tracing, put some of that team players who might be affected, in quarantine. After contact tracing is done then league allows Toronto Raptors to play games minus those players who are in quarantine. Since some of their good players are also in quarantine so they lost couple of games easily so this is kind of punishment for them for relaxing in Covid-19 protocols. But the league did not shutdown.

I think cultural difference is the main issue here. You expect players to listen in NBA, but in PSL, they at times don't listen and people/security ensuring they stay isolated are too lenient.

 

[ahmedzee]

Some of what took place during PSL 6

View attachment 107811

All these idiots are to be blamed as well. They should not point fingers at wasim khan when they themselves are acting this way. Feel like slapping this Shaveer guy (very slappable face).

 

[Saj]

Some of what took place during PSL 6

View attachment 107811

Pawri Super League.

Absolute shambles.

 

[Saj]

So it seems that some of the franchise owners are saying that the PCB didn't organise the covid protocols and didn't clarify the SOPs, but don't want to admit that they themselves didn't adhere to any protocols.

 

[Zaz]

Saj Who okd these celebs, owners and the hamray heros to come in and out of this bubble as they pleased?

 

[hashimafzal]

So it seems that some of the franchise owners are saying that the PCB didn't organise the covid protocols and didn't clarify the SOPs, but don't want to admit that they themselves didn't adhere to any protocols.

Read up on how the NBA successfully orchestrated their bubble to restart their 2020 season in Orlando, Florida.

Took a $160 million investment but should be the model on how to properly implement bubble protocols. Zero COVID cases.

 

[Saj]

Saj Who okd these celebs, owners and the hamray heros to come in and out of this bubble as they pleased?

Very good question.

One that nobody is answering and one where the franchises and PCB are blaming each other.

 

[srh]

Some of what took place during PSL 6

View attachment 107811

I do not like Pakistani celebrities

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Some of what took place during PSL 6

View attachment 107811

Third picture is from Dubai, just to make things clear.

 

[Savak]

One things i look for in my best friends or even general friends is loyalty. It is very easy for everyone to be all pally, smiling, loving when things are going well as all the PSL Franchise owners were with the PSL while the PSL was underway. But the manner in which all the PSL franchise owners have pounced on the PCB and just public-ally trashed them the moment this happened just leaves a bad taste, i personally would never ever do business with such an individual again.