The postponement of the sixth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has cast doubt on the future of cricket activities in Pakistan. PSL is Pakistan’s premier T20 competition and it has quickly garnered a reputation of being one of the best leagues across the globe, but the latest fiasco has brought a lot of negative attention to the country.
After multiple breaches of the bio-secure bubble, seven individuals were infected with the COVID-19. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided that the conditions were unsafe for the players and the officials and postponed the league. Although many international players have expressed their desire to come back to the country once the league resumes, there is still a doubt on how many of them will be available to play due to the scheduling conflicts.
Pakistan, as a cricketing nation, has suffered a lot over the last decade. Ever since the terror attacks on the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009, international teams refused to come to the country, and instead, Pakistan had to compromise and host most of their home matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This had created an adverse impact on Pakistan cricket as players were unable to play in their own country in front of their own fans.
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But recently, international teams have shown an interest in resuming cricketing activities in the country. Over the past few years, Pakistan has hosted Zimbabwe, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, World XI and most recently South Africa.
PCB, however, has set sights on hosting three of the biggest international teams in world cricket, England, Australia and New Zealand. According to PCB CEO, Wasim Khan, Pakistan is looking to host Australia and New Zealand within the next couple of years. While, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have confirmed their team’s tour for two T20Is, scheduled to be played in October.
This was all before the COVID-19 pandemic affected the PSL. PCB’s negligent behavior and poor bio-secure bubble measures have been highlighted and played a major role in the postponement of the league. After the postponement, Wasim Khan admitted that other boards might have lost their trust in the PCB and they will have to work hard to earn the trust of the other cricket boards back.
But all is not lost as PCB has a chance to rectify mistakes and show the world that Pakistan is safe for cricket once again, both from the virus and from a safety standpoint. The postponement of the PSL was an anomaly and it was a first of it’s kind experience for the PCB to host a franchise based tournament with international stars and staff in a pandemic. PCB has been one of the few cricket boards in the world to host a full domestic season.
Let’s have a look at all the competitions that PCB successfully hosted in the pandemic:
National T20 Cup
The National T20 Cup was the opening tournament of the 2020/2021 Pakistan domestic season. The tournament was held from end of September to mid October. Six teams took part in 35 matches, including the final, which Khyber Pakhtunkhwa won.
Quaid-e-Azam Trophy
Pakistan’s premier first-class competition was next. A total of 31 first-class matches were played in Karachi over a three month period. Central Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa put on a classic in the final as the match ended in a tie. Both the teams shared the trophy.
Zimbabwe tour of Pakistan
Zimbabwe was the first international team to tour the country in 2016 after the Sri Lankan team terror attacks in 2009. They were also the first team to tour Pakistan in the pandemic. The tour consisted of three T20Is and three ODIs. Pakistan whitewashed Zimbabwe in the T20I series, and won the ODI series 2-1, losing the last ODI in the first ever Super Over.
Pakistan One Day Cup
33-match Pakistan One Day Cup was held next. Six teams battled it out over a three week period in Karachi. Central Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were once again the finalists and this time KP managed to get past Central Punjab to lift their third title of the season.
South Africa tour of Pakistan
South Africa played against Pakistan in a historic tour. This was South Africa’s first tour to the country after a gap of almost 14 years. The two teams played in a two match Test series and a three match T20I series. Pakistan were the dominant team, winning the Test series 2-0 and the T20I series 2-1.
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Let’s have a look at the upcoming home series for Pakistan under the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP):
New Zealand tour of Pakistan
New Zealand are scheduled to tour Pakistan for a three match ODI and three match T20I series in October 2021. The tour is not yet confirmed but PCB are hopeful that the negotiations between the two countries will be fruitful.
England tour of Pakistan
England have confirmed their tour of Pakistan for a two match T20I series in October 2021. This will be England’s first tour of the country in 16 years.
West Indies tour of Pakistan
West Indies are scheduled to play a three match ODI and three match T20I series in Pakistan in December 2021.
Australia tour of Pakistan
1998 was the last time an Australian team toured Pakistan. They are scheduled to tour the country in February 2022 for two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is.
PCB will be hoping to host these matches without any complications and to gain back the trust of the other boards, therefore, the completion of the rest of the PSL 6 without any hiccups is of the utmost importance.
